Indians have loved Pakistani drama serials for years, and they were pretty brave and subtle. The reason for applauding this brave new cinema is because we want to extend our commercial space. The whole deal is collaboration, and it has nothing to do with political peace. So, we should just cut this and talk about what is on everyone’s mind – market economics.
Along with the main article there was a smaller piece by a Pakistani and I was quite amused to read some of it:
They (the audience) also love the man who played Munnabhai — Sanjay Dutt, fondly called “Nargis ka beta”.
This is utter rubbish and playing to some imagined gallery. I know people in the entertainment industry and I have met people of all kinds there. They do not refer to him as anyone’s beta; they might call him Sunju baba because they read our gossip columns and they know about his drug addiction and his prison term.
Even the ‘gay’ comedy Dostana had the women in hijab in splits.
Geez. This is a Pakistani woman and she is stereotyping the female population. Even if the women in hijab did go and watch Dostana, why is it so important that their being in splits about a gay comedy should be emphasised? Were the bearded guys wearing skull caps also in splits? And the women in jeans and the men wearing baseball caps backwards?
Come on. Grow up. Aman ki Asha is not going to happen by going along with this sort of cheesy and cliched caravan.
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Juvenile ideas of culture seem to prevail. Now, you can dine at the local Eiffel Tower. Why? Because we need to strengthen our French connection. I know many other ways we can do so, but shall let it pass.
Puducherry – Pondicherry – does have a French influence even today, but it makes no sense for this gross expenditure for a Rs 25 crore-replica because not many in France dine at the real place and this is not going to be a replacement for a trip to Paris for those who can afford to or wish to visit. With competitive travel opportunities, people are in fact travelling quite a bit and not many would eat there, anyway.
What will the replica offer?
If things go according to plans, you could dine at the multicuisine restaurant on the desi Eiffel Tower offering a panoramic view of the Godavari river, the Bay of Bengal, the ruined Dutch port, the seaside town of Kakinada, the Reliance gas plants and the lush green coconut groves of the Konaseema belt.
Honestly, they could just build a tower. The French who have made Puducherry their home prefer cycling down the roads or spending time at Auroville. This might give a kick to some neighbouring city dwellers for a while. That’s it. Why multi-cuisine? Camembert soufflé wrapped in paper dosa? Or crepes sprinkled with mulgapudi?
There are interesting little French restaurants serving pretty authentic food and don’t cost a bomb and don’t look down at gas plants. If the Ambani clout is at work we might have some Gujju fare too…pure veg and no frog legs. Thenk yoo.
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End note
As reports of another Indian being attacked in Melbourne ruled the airwaves on Saturday, the government appealed for “restraint’’ in reporting the incident, expressing fears that it would damage bilateral relations with Australia.Is this what makes us want to be proud nationalists?
Yesterday , saw bollywood actor Amitabh bachan reciting gulzar's poem for Aman ki asha........
ReplyDelete"Nazar mein rehte ho, jab tum nazar nahin aate;
Yeh sur bolatey hain, jab tum idhar nahin aate."
People of both countries were never enemies before and they aren't enemies now.
Then why all of a sudden they're seen as enemies? Aman ki asha is a romantic idea which could bridge the gap between Indo Pak politicians...May be?
circle
Circle:
ReplyDeleteRomantic ideas don't work with politicians and diplomacy is a different ballgame from poetry. I am sorry to say that while the person in the street in both countries does not see the other as an enemy, those who capitalise on peace have an agenda and peace is not the priority. Often they talk with forked tongues. Have witnessed it on both sides.
Waise if it keeps the creative juices flowing, lage raho! You happy, I happy.
Farzana,
ReplyDeleteFollowing statement in the post pretty much sums up the whole thing :
"The whole deal is collaboration, and it has nothing to do with political peace. So, we should just cut this and talk about what is on everyone’s mind – market economics." Rest all - women in hijab amused by gay comedy, nargis kaa beta et al amount to misplaced and erratic symbolism.
But then look at it other way, Markets do need political peace for better functioning. So what that the *love's in the air* tunes between Indo / Pak trade lobbies start making round ? Fine , as long as they don't exchange mortar fire. Moreover, increased commercial and economic interdependance might actually end up instilling a sense of shared interest reducing the chances of war. (At the same time, though, I must mention that past couple of years the relationship between Indian and Pakistani state has tested enough turbulence that a direct armed conflict looks very less probable).
Also, did we notice that the chinese are doing the same thing in a little perverse way ? China has clinched several deals with Pakistani government. Arms Supply and Infrastructure Development top the list. Indians are little late in the game, but never mind.
A somewhat amusing personal anecdote here....
A couple of years back a news item related to Karachi had surfaced in Asian Age. Several people were caught viewing a Porn film in a "stereotypically shady" theatre in Karachi. And guess what, the Porn was made in India. Amused by this news, that same evening I shared it with my colleague over a drink. He drew a even more hilarious conclusion. This , according to him was the turning point, for ware mongers in Pakistani military. If people across the border are exchanging Porn then just imagine how difficult it is to sale War.War mongers have realised this. In the meantime, to keep the American economy going - Arms trade continues to gain in strength.
My own guess is - the Porn sellers are back with a vengeance. This time they have managed to stage a coup sophisticated enough to get Gulzar to sing "love's in the air" for them. :-)
Cheers,
Mahesh.
Mahesh:
ReplyDeleteIt is a a bit circuitous. Markets need not have political peace. Think China. (Although your flipside argument is valid ina different way.)
Moreover, increased commercial and economic interdependance might actually end up instilling a sense of shared interest reducing the chances of war.
The problem is not the interdependence or shared interest but these being taken over by vested interests that will decide about political peace as well.
Thanks for your anecdote. If some army types are reading this, then they will not like it! Such porn will have the same-same look without moral quibbles, too.
My own guess is - the Porn sellers are back with a vengeance. This time they have managed to stage a coup sophisticated enough to get Gulzar to sing "love's in the air" for them. :-)
Precious statement! That’s what I am getting at. It’s all a voyeur’s market with candles blowing in the wind…