Is Bollywood milking terrorism?

[Lady Macbeth]

In India, almost every state has come under the terrorist radar and all of us are wary of a terror attack.

Since cinema is the best possible way through which a common man’s point of view on terrorism can be reflected, Bollywood has endlessly cashed on the terror theme. In the past, directors like Mani Ratnam and Ram Gopal Verma have repeatedly tried to give an understandable picture of what goes on under cover in terror attacks, as shown in Roja, Dil Se, Bombay, Company, Contract et al. Then there were movies based on real-life incidents such as Mumbai Meri Jaan(2008) and Black Friday (2004) which superbly captured the human quotient without compromising on the ugly truth.

It seems that terrorism has entered Bollywood once again. With Rensil D Silva’s Kurbaan starring Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor all set to release, we take a look at the recent spate of movies which were based on terrorism.

1. New York (2009)
Partly inspired by Tim Robbin's Arlington Road, it tells the story of a common-man-turned-terrorist due to government’s insensitivity towards Asians after 9-11 attacks. A suspense/thriller, Neil Nitin Mukesh gave a commendable performance in the same.


2. Aamir (2008)
Domestic terrorism nurtures its ugly head in this slick thriller starring Rajeev Khandelwal. Rajeev’s family has been kidnapped by a radical mafia group, who wants him to carry out a bombing in the city of Mumbai. Torn between morality and responsibility, he doesn’t know what to do but has to make a choice. The chilling climax of the movie will continue to tug your heartstrings for weeks after you’ve seen it.

3. A Wednesday (2008)
Neeraj Pathak’s movie is a mirror image of our heightened awareness and sensitivity to terrorism. It depicts how one man’s paranoia turns into fanatic determination and how that determination leads him to stand up against the laxity in our system. With Naseerudin Shah playing the common man whose decided "enough is enough", this made for a riveting watch!

4. Mukhbir (2008)
This earnest thriller by Mani Shankar brazenly confronts urban terrorism . It’s a gripping film about a police informer who lives several secret lives amongst the terrorists, endangering his own existence so that people like you and I can live in normalcy. Although the movie didn't do as well at the box office, it’s still a must-watch for the suspense addicts.

5. Tahaan (2008)
It’s a simple fascinating story that exposes a certain grim truth about Kashmir. The movie revolves around a 8-year old whose innocence is taken as an advantage by a group of insurgents. Brilliantly captured by Santosh Sivan’s bleached-out camerawork, this Vishal Bhardwaj’s subtle movie on terrorism is worth a watch.

Is Bollywood milking terrorism? | Entertainment | Lounge | iDiva.com

[vinod2070]

Mukhbir was quite good. I have not seen any other so far.

[ferrari]

I think all the above movies are good. I like Aamir and A Wednesday the most though.

Coming to topic, its not about milking terrorism but to show different facets of terrorism that people otherwise wouldn't have envisioned or imagined them to be. Except for Kurbaan and NewYork, all other movies were actually quite non-commercial in their make.

[DarkStar]

Aamir was a good film, as well as Naseeruddin Shah in A Wednesday. I think that most of the movies coming out are part of the society's study of and coming to grips with terrorism.

It's not so much milking as a reflection of anxieties of the society, which is part of what the medium of cinema is 'supposed' to do.

We saw films about worker's rights (or lack of them), poverty and anger in the seventies, corruption and lawlessness in the 80's, gangsterism and violence in the 90's, the noughties were about flashing the cash, all a reflection of anxieties in the respective eras.

[vinod2070]

But of course there are few film makers that could be said to "milk" whatever is hot or controversial.

Part of the business, I think. No need to get too judgmental.

[DarkStar]

On another note, I think Bharati cinema must be commended that most of the films made about terrorism are not in the 'Border' style jingoistic nonsense, but seem to be genuine efforts at reflection, introspection, sometimes bordering upon 'sympathizing'.

That is a lot more than what Hollywood has come up with since 9/11, absoulte toss all.

[Lady Macbeth]

I think a vast majority of Bollywood film makers have realized that they need to address everyday norms and social conventions.

They feel that it is their duty to portray a picture of a society that is as close to the real thing as possible...with the exception of a bit of ''chayan chayan on a train'' or a song in Switzerland even though according to the script the character is supposed to be Mowglis daughter from Sholingar.

I am glad that Indian film industry has moved on from the 'girl-shouting-bachao-bachao-in-a-sari' days and are spieling on about the tie ins of everyday life.

Lets just hope our Pashtu films can ''crack the boots'' as well and stop making fat ladies dangling from trees with their tushies hanging in mid air (no offense to anyone).

[wtf]

Originally Posted by DarkStar

On another note, I think Bharati cinema must be commended that most of the films made about terrorism are not in the 'Border' style jingoistic nonsense, but seem to be genuine efforts at reflection, introspection, sometimes bordering upon 'sympathizing'.

That is a lot more than what Hollywood has come up with since 9/11, absoulte toss all.

Hollywood has produced a few good ones, just that they never became a hit. When it comes to voicing opinions Americans are pretty good whether they listen to them is a different question altogether.

For ex: Rendition (Rendition (2007) - Plot Summary) (and a movie I did not watch- Extraordinary rendition ). From the first Iraq war era 3 kings (Three Kings (1999)) .

Then there is the famous Fahrenheit 911 Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004).

[Lady Macbeth]

Originally Posted by wtf

Hollywood has produced a few good ones, just that they never became a hit. When it comes to voicing opinions Americans are pretty good whether they listen to them is a different question altogether.

For ex: Rendition (Rendition (2007) - Plot Summary) (and a movie I did not watch- Extraordinary rendition ). From the first Iraq war era 3 kings (Three Kings (1999)) .

Then there is the famous Fahrenheit 911 Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004).

Rendition, Three Kings..... well directed etc but poor ''whip-ups''..... characterizing to singularize the 'white man' as the ace saviors of the primordial world.

Indications of a whole civilization living in limbo.....holding up until the ''one with the blue eyes and fair skin'' comes to rid them of all evils pertaining to their nation. Big example Mel Gibsons 'Apocalypto'!

Where does this arrogance come from??? It is this type of exaggerated self importance that is driving us (oooooh bad bad colored people) to a corner where some might become cases of self doubt and some of clouded frustration for the ''white supremacy thinkers''.

Unfortunately I havent seen Fahrenheit 911 so cant really comment on that one. But I love Michael Moores sense of humour and loved his 'Hey dude, where is my country?'' so I guess I might not be too critical of it.

Loved Apocalypto = 10 out of 10
Rendition= 6 out of 10
Three Kings = Blah....why did I even bother buying the ticket?

[Neo]

Why is Fanaa not in the list?
How can we forget (my) Kajol?