Indian Movies and Oscar

Every year its seen that Indian film makers and audiences are very curious about Oscars. We are keen to know whether Indian nominations will get the reputed honors or not. But seldom do we try to improve the story-plot that matches international standards.

Usually those movies get Oscar awards which have a universal appeal, those which do not contain an outdated plot. Usually every year Indian movies are also send into the competition. Let’s first talk about the movies which managed to reach the last round at least. It was the famous director Mehboob Khan’s film ‘Mother India’, which was nominated among the last five best foreign films for the Academy awards.

It was the Hollyood film maker Cecil B. Demil who after watching ‘Mother India’ recommended Mehboob Khan to send it for the Oscars. ‘Mother India’s two-hour edition was also send. But the jury simply rejected it on the pretext of its vague plot. 

In the movie ‘Mother India’ when the lecherous Sahukar offers Nargis to stay with him and he will lake care of the kids, she puts down that very offer. Looking at it from West’s point of view, the offer should have been accepted. Looking at it from the Indian perspective of life and culture she did the best thing as her husband was missing mysteriously. She was filled with immense faith about his return. In India a husband-worshipping woman is placed in high esteem. Thus ‘Mother India, , though nominated did   not receive any award.

Second time it was Indian film maker Meera Nayar’s  ‘Salaam Bombay’ that entered the Oscar race. This movie based on the lives of street children in Mumbai’s slum area Dharavi, was no where a weak movie when compared to other foreign movies in the category. Inspite of a very new concept and strong plot the jury did not consider it for the award.

Aamir Khan’s much acclaimed movie ‘Lagaan’ was the third to enter the Oscar nominations in the foreign movie category. Such a hype was created all around that we all were sure that the movie will get an Oscar for sure. Aamir khan with his team stayed in America for weeks to promote the movie. Every jury member was hunted and showed  the movie . Crores were spend on the movie promotion. Many believe that ‘Lagaan’  was not awarded  possibly because it displayed the defeat of ‘white men’ at the hands of ‘black Indians’.

Since ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ received a kitty-full of awards, speculations were ripe that  it will receive an Oscar. What was thought, turned were true, when ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ won  eight awards. This movie was made by a foreign director Danny Boyle, only short in India because it shows India’s poverty in its most extreme forms. But we Indians are still feeling proud and happy about it. Just because the movie is about Indian subject seems to be enough for us.

Richard Attenborough received many awards for his much celebrated movie ‘Gandhi’. Again this movie about the father of the nation did not have much contribution from Indian quarters. Surprisingly no Indian film maker has ever tried to make a movie on Mahatma Gandhi. A foreign film maker made it possible. Only Banu Attaya received an Oscar for the ‘Best Costume Designer’ for ‘Gandhi’ . Apart from this eminent Indian film maker Satyajit Ray received a posthumous award for his contribution to the world Cinema in 1992.

Indian movie get an award or not, we all are happy. Getting three Oscars in a row is swelling our pride. A.R. Rahman received two Oscars for the theme song- ‘Jai Ho’ and also for music. Resul Putty also received an award for ‘sound mixing’. These awards have doubtlessly brought with them respect and acceptance for Indian talent in the international cinema.

Satyajit Ray’s contribution into the world of cinema was well awarded with an Oscar. So in totality we have manage to win only five awards so far. Is that enough? Are these achievements calling for a make over in the Indian cinema?  

Since last fifty years Indian movies have been getting awards at various international film festivals. Every year Indian movies are getting awards. They are lauded both nationally and internationally. The league of young directors in the Indian film industry believe that if Bollywood technicians get recognition on the international platform, that will give much-needed kick to the capability of Indian  film makers and production houses as well. While making movies they will give special emphasis to the technicalities to match with international standards. This entire means that technicians will be the stars, movies will be made technician-centric. I think I am going too far, knowing that Bollywood movies are star-centric. Here movies are made on the final nod of stars, movies succeed if they are star-studded. Unlike West, in India its not the popular directors or big production houses that decide the fate of the movies but its star-cast. Its difficult to access whether Oscars can change the concept of movie making in Indian cinema or not.

Nevertheless ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ Oscars for Music has proved that the technicians of  Indian Cinema have the potential  to make path breaking movies. They have the capability to bring the best on the celluloid.  What is needed is that technicians are given an upper hand while making movies and deciding about the movie plot. Since a long time we have been swaying away viewers with same fictional and unrealistic storylines. It’s high time that we start with realistic concepts based on real life situations and social settings. A change-over can help us gain applause as well as earn money.

Going by the trends over last few years, many movies with a brilliant star cast have not been able to make success at the box-office. While as many low-budget movies with a simple star cast have been successful. Indian audiences are ready for newness. They are ready with movies like Dev-D as they are for ‘Mumbai Meri  Jaan’.

  - Narottam Giri
    www.indopia.com