sikhsangat Posted August 27, 2004 Report Share Posted August 27, 2004 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 :!: 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karmjeet Posted August 27, 2004 Report Share Posted August 27, 2004 very true 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaNaDiAn_jAtTi Posted August 31, 2004 Report Share Posted August 31, 2004 To the both of u.... and anyone else that hates the way Sikhs are being portrayed in movies.... Do something about, don't just sit behind your computers and complain, perhaps if your inclined into the industry, make a movie... or even write a script that you feel would justify sikhi.... honestly, i continually read people's complaint against bollywood, but have yet to see some effort being made on enlightening others about our religion.... unfortunately i decided sciences for my career choice, but for the other youngsters out there, make an effort to do something creative and different! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 31, 2004 Report Share Posted August 31, 2004 To the both of u.... and anyone else that hates the way Sikhs are being portrayed in movies.... Do something about, don't just sit behind your computers and complain, perhaps if your inclined into the industry, make a movie... or even write a script that you feel would justify sikhi.... honestly, i continually read people's complaint against bollywood, but have yet to see some effort being made on enlightening others about our religion.... unfortunately i decided sciences for my career choice, but for the other youngsters out there, make an effort to do something creative and different! Good advice ji.. .. you smashed it ... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sukhi Posted August 31, 2004 Report Share Posted August 31, 2004 ditto... but also... if u take bollywood that seriously, then there's something seriously wrong with u... bollywood is nothing but entertainment. there's nothing there so substantial that u should change ur views on Sikhi because of it. but at the same time, i agree with what's being said and what CJ said... oh and one more thing.... i sincerely doubt the fact that bollywood or the ppl associated with it have enough brains to think about destroying a religion... they seem to be too busy tryin to figure out how to keep the dough rolling in and pleasing the public... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 1, 2004 Report Share Posted September 1, 2004 I agree with what Canadian Jatti wrote above. Action speaks louder than words and we should follow this saying, if we want to reform something. Take some actions because that will bring something positive for our religion and people. Also, Bollywood is not just attacking only Sikhs but Thakurs, Pundits and recently in movie of Ajay Devgun they have chosen new victim for their amusement revenue "Yadav" so we are not the only ones being discriminated. It is amazing to know that Sikhs are being ridiculed when most of the Bollywood industry is dominated by Punjabi Hindu Khatris. They believe in Guru Granth Sahib and carry great respect for Sikhs. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sikhsangat Posted September 1, 2004 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2004 Mod's Note: Part of your message was deleted since it was a personal attack against our member. Please refrain from it next time. For your information i am not sitting behind my computer and complaining but simply making young people aware of what Bollywood is showing is incorrect and misleading for people who have very little knoweldge of Sikhi, also we are helping to create movies & cartoons at the following site www.sarblohwarriors.com i'm sure you won't mind making a donation to help fund such projects, just look at all the Bollywood dvds you have bought to help fund their projects in continuing to make a mockery out of Sikhs and other minorities. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaNaDiAn_jAtTi Posted September 1, 2004 Report Share Posted September 1, 2004 To Sikh Sangat Ji, I am sorry I hit a nerve with, didn't mean that, honestly... but I didn't like ur statement: just look at all the Bollywood dvds you have bought to help fund their projects in continuing to make a mockery out of Sikhs and other minorities. How would u kno that I have bollywood DVD's and how many at that.... perhaps u didn't kno that a big chunk of my collection is actually of Punjabi movies from the '80's... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 1, 2004 Report Share Posted September 1, 2004 Sikh Sangat Ji, You do not need to get excited or aggressive. This is discussion forum so everyone has their own views on particular subject. Sikhs can fight their own fight but aggressive messages online just bring negative sentiments and nothing else. If we really want to oppose something then we should do it the right way which our Gurus chose to follow. They stood on the same ground and fought against injustice. Also, Sikhs should work for whole humanity not just for themselves. If we really want to oppose something then we have to go through the right channels. We have to let every intelligent Sikh know about this and then send official letter to Jathedar of Akal Thakhat and that's how we can protest against distortion of Sikh image in Bollywood movies. Take care 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sikhsangat Posted September 1, 2004 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2004 Its all good. 8) 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lion King Posted September 2, 2004 Report Share Posted September 2, 2004 True Say Sikh Sangat, all Bollywood does is pollute minds. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giani_g Posted September 2, 2004 Report Share Posted September 2, 2004 I agree with Sikhsangats first post. I'm glad that Bollywood film's are too crap to get into mainstream media or win any decent awards (excluding Indian ones obviously). I wouldn't worry about tacky Bollywood films when there are these Gillette adverts on tv, anyone remember that Gillette advert with Beckham in it. Talk about selling your product. "You know the feeling, you are invinceable, and you want to feel like this every day" You'd have thought that the cheesiness would have killed the sales. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaNaDiAn_jAtTi Posted September 2, 2004 Report Share Posted September 2, 2004 I have to disagree with the statement that bollywood pollutes the mind... there are just as many garbage hollywood movies as there are bollywood ones... you have to look at the numbers proportionately.... and it's not like you watch every bollywood movie that comes out.... one has to be choosy about it just like one is choosy about watchin hollywood ones.... And there are many bollywood movies that are being made to bring out history or a social message such as Phir Milenge, Pinjar, mitr my friend and so on and so forth.... film media is a powerful tool that if used properly can convey messages to the masses and educate them on the issues that plague society.... As far as donating to the Sarbloh warriors, i have no such problem... i'd love to do it if they could mail out the info to my house as i don't have any cards to do online donation.... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lion King Posted September 3, 2004 Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 I think everywhere you go, even in your daily lives you'll find things that pollute your mind - from the people around you to films, t.v and music, i mean you must have seen how filthy these videos have become, just look at Zee Music or B4U. However, when you mix the identity of a Singh with this filth, like Bollywood does, and falsely portray Singhs like they do, we can't sit back and accept it, its not something we want to be part of. However, a real Sikh would also try to stop this kind of filth altogether & not just wait till it hits home. Sikh Sangat has hit the nail on the head, lets work this out. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
227022007 Posted December 7, 2004 Report Share Posted December 7, 2004 Here's some promising future potential: http://www.sikhawareness.com/sikhawareness...opic.php?t=5842 People may say bollywood only gives what their viewers want which then raises the question: Is it bollywood or the people addicted to bollywood who need sorting? but then I suppose you could easily say its through media that people learn what they want and so on .... Corporations and Media are definitely in favour of making money than spreading morality, and it is definitely easier to play on lust and ego to make themselves noticed. Fighting it is difficult, so really I think it's purely down to how we educate ( and not force opinion on) the people around you and just hope for the best... At the same time people should ideally enjoy the 'entertainment' rather than try to live it or rebel it. make any sense? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cybersingh Posted December 8, 2004 Report Share Posted December 8, 2004 here's my solution to this whole "ideology", i haven't ever watched a hindi movie and don't ever plan to either.......... I don't have 6 hours to waste on ppl that like to dance on every scene (like a guy gets shot and they start dancing................ :roll: etc.......) and also why is it that the dancing takes place near an edge of some sort like the edge of a mountain or the edge of a beach right by the water etc.............. :? :| 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sikh_fauge Posted December 8, 2004 Report Share Posted December 8, 2004 I use to hate the image bolloywood portrated of sikhs. But consider this, we make up 2% of the population in india. Kinda nice to know we mean that much to them that they have to place us in most of their films (when i say their, im talking from a punjabi point of view..and to me, bollywood=dehli) 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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