Indra’s Drishtikona (Viewpoint)

Oscar: Jai Ho Rahman! Jai Ho Dharavi!

Posted : February 24, 2009 at 11:25 am [IST]

It is amazing. The whole world is reverberating with ‘Jai Ho’ (Let there be victory). Rahman and Rasul have an imprint of their talents on the entertainment world. It is certainly historic moment for India. It also provides a glimpse in future of the potential for the soft power of India, rather the subcontinent. Rahman’s emphasis on love rather than hatred and his salutation to his mother must have made some unique impact on the billions watching the Academy Award function all over the world. Indian music has been rich. Rahman’s win is recognition of the age old tradition of music in Indian subcontinent.

Slumdog Millionaire must have raised the aspiration level for the millions of children of the slums in India watching the kids from Dharavi on the red carpet at Kodak theatre in LA, USA. It is Jai Ho Dharavi.

The win for Slumdog Millionaire also must be taken as a lesson by the Bollywood. Bollywood must use the professionalism of the hundreds of good authors and their creations instead of anyone Tom, Dick and Harry writing a story. As I understand, the old era of financing difficulties for film production when dons dictated the story and cast against financing has gone. Professionally managed companies have gone in film business. Talent and other technical resources are in abundance in the film cities of India. Why can’t Indian film compete with those from the West?

Indian entertainment sector has potentials to come on the global scene as its IT and IT services sector have done. It can be business in billions and billions. Even the West appreciates India’s potential. By watching the several competitive shows on different TV channels, one gets easily convinced. Days of individual’s monopoly, be it respected Lata or Rafi, Meena Kumari or Rajesh Khanna are a thing of history.

Expectations from Bollywood will be high. A good creativity talent can’t go unrecognized for long. Let the industry leaders move ahead. Rahaman has set the benchmark. Jai Ho Rahman!

PS: I wish a certain portion of revenue of Slumdog Millionaire goes in building an Oscar International School and a Child Hospital of world class in Dharavi, Mumbai.

- Indra

Category: India's Infrastructure |