Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan’s remarks on both Slumdog Millionaire and the Oscars having being considered controversial were given high preference by the press and shown as headlines by all news channels. Though all news channels telecasted what Mr. Bachchan said as another masala and gossip news item, there is a serious need to analyze and ponder over Mr. Bachchan’s remarks on both the issues mentioned above.
First of all, though Mr. Bachchan has denied writing this on his blog but even if he has written that Slumdog Millionaire has won the prestigious Golden Globe award and has been nominated for the Oscars because it shows India in poor light, what’s wrong in that? Isn’t it true that despite being one of the fastest growing economies, where all the international brands are dying to enter, Hollywood film makers still want to see films like Mother India and Salaam Bombay, which show India as a poor and illiterate country based in villages? In fact, the only mistake which probably Mr. Bachchan has made in the entire controversy is that he said that the remarks, which he made about Slumdog were not his own and he was just commenting upon what some of his fans wrote on his blog. But, Mr. Bachchan was smart enough to add that all creative people including he himself should have freedom of speech and expression and keeping that in mind, there is nothing wrong in him expressing his views and criticizing Slumdog Millionaire.
Again, Mr. Bachchan feels that Oscar’s are not the ultimate recognition of Cinema and it doesn’t matter to him if he has never been nominated for this award. What’s wrong in that? Every artist has a right to decide which award he values the most and this being the personal opinion of the concerned individual cannot be questioned. After all, the hundred and thousands of Indian and international awards that Mr. Bachchan has won cannot be termed immaterial, if he hasn’t been nominated for the Oscars.
By the way, Mr. Amitabh Bachchan took this opportunity to congratulate both lyrists Gulzar and music composer A. R. Rehman for winning Oscar nominations.
Well, had the media understood and highlighted the essence of Mr. Bachchan’s comments rather than sensationalizing them for cheap publicity, it would have been better.
Image Source: Bharat Waves
