Ali zafar is going to do his bollywood debut when Teray Bin Laden releases in theatres this july. So, cross-border collaborations continue amid all political drama we found ourselves in on daily basis now.
This trend started in musharraf’s era when we started seeing some of the main stream pakistani singers doing playback singing for Indian movies. If you ask me, I am usually the one rooting for collaborative spirit (although some of these projects don’t always turn out to be all that special).
Many in India, as I read in blogs and other avenues openly oppose artistic collaborations as something that deprive Indians or mumbaikers (judging by shiv sena's stance) of jobs that are snatched by Pakistani artists. My stand on this is very simple - although I am not so well versed on laws/complexity of running a business involving international elements. Whether it’s Hollywood, the British film industry or Bollywood – all the projects are green lit only when they are considered profitable and not based on any emotional connotations. Just like bollywood finds it market in main stream pakistani masses, pakistani artist go across the border because they find they have something to contribute. At end of the day, it’s show-business and we find the same thing happening in other parts of the world. Some of biggest star in Hollywood today are actors with australian/english origin and it doesn’t mean they are robbing american-born artist of any opportunities.
And to be fair, bollywood technicians/production companies have become technical savvy over time and increasingly more capable of bringing quality to their presentation – even if most of bolly flicks still lack in content. In terms of music, they seems to have their hands on pulse of our people and usually know what the masses want to hear. I know there are musicians in pakistan who think bollywood music is too loud and over the top. I do think it’s a fair assessment on some part and respect their opinions. But then bollywood also has music composers/producers who got Oscar nods and that’s not an easy feat to accomplish by any means.
Hmmmm, my stance on this might be a little too blunt and straightforward but talent in any discipline or any location should be patronized and encouraged. This could apply to pakistani singers/cricketers in India or Indian techies in USA.
ReplyDeleteShiv Sena just like the Taliban are a radicalized minority and should not be speaking on behalf of the public. If Mumbaikars/Conservative Americans (or whoever it may concern) feel that they are losing their jobs because of better talent, they should step up to the challenge. It is the survival of the fittest (or talented).
On a different note, I, you or we, may not like a certain brand of music/movies but directors/producers are working on what they think the masses will like and what will be most profitable. Whether it is successful or not, can be gauged by mass opinion.
Just like with anything else the industry is going to represent a classic bell-curve. A few doing sub-par work and a few doing overwhelmingly good quality work but the vast majority will dwell in mediocrity. The greater challenge or intention should be towards raising the average so the high-end and low-end rise with it. One way of raising the average is by the introduction or better talent. It makes the industry more competitive and that always results in a better product.
I hope that's the way forward and sanity prevails.
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