OK, so I have to say that seeing Om Shanti Om (or OSO as it is often referred) has really made me think.
First off, the biggest upset to me is that the director, writer, and choreographer is a woman. How is it that India, a country known for its male-dominated society, can still have a woman’s film be the year’s biggest hit and the US can’t? Now don’t get me wrong, I realize Bollywood isn’t all flush with women directors or the US doesn’t have quality ones…but I guess what puzzles me most isn’t the quality at all. It’s the money. Indians are shelling out millions of rupees to see something that is nearly all a woman’s point of view…when has that happened in America? I mean, not even our dear-to-our-hearts Sex and the City is a full woman-run show/movie.
Secondly, I have to say that the movie’s gratuitious beefcake scenes are a bit bothersome to me. Sex scenes don’t bother me. Nor does nudity. But putting LOOOOONG scenes into a movie that do absolutely nothing to move the plot along but are only there for viewers to ogle the actor/actress, just aren’t comforting to watch. And when PDA (public displays of affection) are a huge no-no on the streets or in the movies because of the sexual implications, how can you tell me that the extended scenes of a shirtless, muscle-y guy, throwing water over himself aren’t sexual? Really now.
Finally, I’m a bit confused by the Bollywood movies’ portrayal of love and passion. Every movie has a love story. But I can’t figure out why. Not to be cynical or stereotypical, but I have never heard an Indian (here or of my Indian-American friends) speak about love in any manner near the same way the movies portray. Things are always far more logical. So I’m wondering…is the society repressing this idea of love that everyone truly wants? Or is it western society and our ideas of love influencing the plots of Bollywood? Or are the movies representing a shift in Indian society’s view of marriage and love? I have to say, it’s probably a bit of all three. As I’ve learned, people pay to see a reflection of themselves; they want to connect with what they read, hear, or see. And, so I’d say Indians really MUST believe in love. But just can’t show it.
Other random things to note about the movie:
1. I understood pretty much the whole thing…which is a pretty good feat considering it’s not in English (but does have some English phrases like “Who’s your daddy?” and “I’m saying I’m pregnant” for times when I guess saying the equivalent in Hindi just doesn’t have the same effect).
2. There was a LOT of cat-calling when a pretty girl would appear on screen. The only reason I note this is because in Shillong, I have NEVER felt disrespected as a woman, nor have I seen any public leering of other women. I wonder what it is about being in a theater that suddenly makes the men feel comfortable doing it…
3. I wonder how much Maybeline paid for their sponsorship of the movie. They were noted in the opening credits, and one scene was a big makeover scene using all their products, with nice long shots of each.
great great post. i have wondered about Bollywood love and hunks as well. The movies are great, escapist fare. we gotta find a good article written about this cinema. how weird about the cat-calling; i’ve never experienced that at the Naz 8 over here. i am going to go see OSO too! my fave actor is Abhishek Bachchan. have you seen him around? i also like hrithik, SRK, and some new faces whose names i haven’t learned yet. my fave women are rani mukherjee and preity zinta.
That’s really weird that they would catcall in a movie theatre but not on the streets…maybe it’s something about the anonymity of a dark theatre. Who knows.
Interesting post, it’s funny how just one movie can give you such a glimpse of the culture of a whole country.
And as for the women director thing…I’m in Chile, one of the most Machoista countries in the world…yet somehow they have a women president and the U.S. still hasn’t.
Some things are just cultural conundrums.
What a great post! I find it so interesting the movie-going habits of other cultures. The cat calling is so weird…
And here, I wondered if anyone would be interested in the post! Whew!
Apparently, though, the cat-calling doesn’t happen at most other theaters, I’ve now been told. A woman in the office said that theater patrons in Delhi and Mumbai are far more reserved…so now I’m REALLY curious as to why it happens here. (Can you tell I want to get a PhD in media analysis?)
But, no, I haven’t seen Abhishek Bachchan around. But the Khans are HUGE around here. I’ll be learning more about the Bollywood “hunks” I’m sure!
And now I’m starting to think (partially after Kyle’s comment) about what I’ll refer to as the “Maxim” effect. You’d think by Maxim’s (the US magazine) content and physical portrayal of women that all the guys must be complete pervs who work there. Au contraire. From my female friends who worked there, it was quite the pleasant environment. And as a j-school teacher explained…”they love women…all of them.” Basically, they just have a very sexual way of showing it. But they love and respect women. Then compare the atmosphere there to places where women are just completely forgotten (such as some sports rags)…and, I can vouch that as a female walking into them, you feel like you’re a stripper who now has to collect her strewn clothing.
Is the machismo or cat-calling just an unfamiliar way of loving and respecting women? Hmmm…
Hi Jenna,
Kim Pham told me about your blog, so I had to go check it out! Nice to see that you made it to India! It’s sure is miles away from Bobit! Hehe… It looks like you have been doing some amazing traveling around the world encountering new cultural experiences! That is so awesome! BTW… I will be in New Delhi from Dec 14-24 and in Bombay from Dec 24-31st. Maybe we can meet up if you are anywhere near by!
I totally agree with you, Indian movies are not what they used to be. In the good old days, Indian movies were about the love, romance and each song they played as they ran through the filed of flowers and each story they told had a special meaning. Now days, its all about marketing and it seems to be one of India’s strongest medians to push products and brands to its audience. There is no reality left, people fall in love in 30 seconds and can openly state that they are “in Love” with another person by only meeting them once. I think we are starting to lose site or reality and what Bollywood is about. We are starting to produce movies that make no sense and waist 3 hours of a person’s life!
Now in regards to the “cat calling”, some things will never change. It doesn’t matter how advanced India becomes politically or technologically, India will be India! That means people will always stare, people will always make remarks and with out it we couldn’t call it home! Hahaha!
Have fun!
Chris Walia
Thanks, Chris! If you get the chance to see it, though, the Sanjay Gupta film out now is pretty good…as it’s a bit more “intelligent” (relying on more script), I wish I understood more Hindi…but would recommend it.
And I’ll definitely keep you in mind when I’m on my “winter break”!