Has Bollywood a hidden agenda?
We all know that television is a powerful medium, but do we really know who is calling the shots behind the Bollywoond scene, indian government perhaps? The extremist hindu party Shiv Senna maybe? The reason i say this is because Bollywood is clearly out to tarnish Sikh philosophy and distort our image. Consider the average portrayal of a Sikh in a Bollywood movie. Often their images are linked to storylines that involve, hotel door staff, construction, transportation, military/police, alcohol, bhangra, highly short-tempered, the object of humour and coarsely spoken Punjabi.
All Bollywood films i have seen consist of mixed Sikh and Hindu faiths. This representation seems to have a habit of repeating itself. Is Bollywood suggesting that this integration of Sikhs and Hindu’s is a norm? Or, is there a more sinister campaign!? For example, one often ‘sees’ the lead girl’s father with a turban but the offspring is Hindu and the relationship is then finally religiously sanctified at a Hindu ceremony. Was the Sikh parent in turban one of the first born from a Hindu family – In the past this apparently happened. Notice the names of family members of the film Dil Wale Dulhanya Le Jayege.
Critics may say that when watching Bollywood movies the viewer should ‘buy in’ to the Bollywood fantasy. I disagree as some aspect of positive realism and role modelling needs to be in place. We need a perspective that shows who Sikhs really are. They’re ideals are based on service, defending the defenceless, equality, humbleness and respecting other religions. Sikhs can be found in many different fields of industry. We also need to ensure that historic references and storylines images are also not distorted.
One movie that was personally offensive was Gaddar and the role of the Sikh. In particular with its image and end of story ideal’s distortion. However, it was still ‘viewed’ as a successful movie?
It has to be admitted that on sheer entertainment value Bollywood provides a mix of melodrama, action and romance. However, there are audiences that want to see a reflection and perspective on social reality. It would be great to get a Bollywood movie that that respects language and respects the religious conviction of any religion that it features.
Currently, Bollywood movies certainly contain outside (foreign to India) shoots (footage). One minute you’ll find yourself in Glasgow, the next minute the lead girl will be standing on a cliff edge near the sea in the Maldives. Lets please not forget the following wedding reception dance with Sikhs Dholling the night away behind the lead actor. The final scene may find the happy couple dancing and standing on mountain edges in Switzerland.
The scenery may have changed but the old formula seems to stay the same. We need to make a change but, too many people continue to endorse the industry. We need to stand-up and complain against the violence, poor treatment of servants, portrayal of caste, the image of subdued women, inter-Indian racism and very negative discriminatory humour against the disabled.
How can we do this? When you flock to see actors, please don’t idolise them as Sharuh Khan & Aishwariya Rai will not take you too Waheguru!! Next time you watch a Bollywood movie, analyze the role of a Sikh and you will find that we are very much misinterpreted & almost certainly it will be done purposely.
As Sikhs we also have a role to play to develop our own short documentaries that can be featured for international communities. I’m sure we have the money, just look at what we can build! I believe if we had a greater presence and feature in the media we can help educate who we are. We ARE NOT Bin Laden’s and have nothing to do with his regime.
Please note that Bollywood is increasingly interacting with Hollywood and their production to help make a succesfull crossover of their industry, it wont be long before Hollywood adopts its approach in making Sikhs look like fools, it has now reached the point where it would seem incomplete if a Bollywood film did not contain this element. As young Sikhs & Panjabis grow up, they will watch these films thinking "i dont want to be a Singh or Sikh, i want to be like Sharuh Khan or Aishwariya Rai."
We desperately need some media control to show who we really are & not what industries like Bollywood wants us to be :!: