Saturday, June 21, 2008

Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani - What say now ?

1999
Shah Rukh Khan, Juhi Chawla and Aziz Mirza formed 'Dreamz Unlimited' and their first venture was 'Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani'. The film could not live upto its hype and was largely trashed by audience and critics alike. People could not fathom the idea of media sprewn all over, media war et al. I read somewhere that the film was way ahead of its time.

2004 onwards
It turns out that the film was only 5 years ahead of its time. This was the time when news channels went 24-hour and gradually converted into 'entertainment news channel'. 99% of today's news is crap. And if you think of it, almost everything that PBDHH had shown is true and happening now.
The 'making' of a news, the 'Live Reports', 'Breaking news', anchors switching channels, shameless in-your-face news, the power of sponsorship ... what not. The only exception is India is yet to see the live telecast of an execution but it doesn't look improbable.

I agree that with the advent of enormous media power, investigative journalism etc. , there has been a great increase in the general level of awareness among common people. Now a victim sees the possibility of fighting injustice with the help of media. But the big question is : Does media understand the importance of its power and the responsibility that comes with it ?

Why would a news channel air a daily show called 'Kaal Kapaal Mahakaal' or 'Sannaata' !!!
Why would a news channel air a Breaking News titled 'Maine dekha bhoot ko' for more than 48 hours !!!
Why would a news channel follow a filmstar on his umpteenth visit to a temple !!!

Media has enormous power. And the effect of any power magnifies manifold if one knows when to stop, which the Indian media obviously doesn't. I wish that someday they had a reality check and transform into a powerful and responsible platform.

jai ho

Saturday, June 14, 2008

The Power of 8

It's tag time again !!! (And yeah... I still remember how to login to blogger. It's just that .... you know.... well... you all know so no point re-iterating)

Mini tagged me sometime back, and here it goes :-

8 things I am passionate about :
  1. India
  2. The place where I grew up (not my hometown Dhanbad, but the small little locality called 'Bhelatand')
  3. I.I.T. Kharagpur
  4. My Computer
  5. Theatre
  6. Movie-making
  7. Fusion music
  8. Phoenix Productions
8 things I want to do before I die :
  1. Direct a movie
  2. Act in a movie/US TV series
  3. Name a scientific term after me.
  4. Win an award.
  5. Take my family on a World tour.
  6. Learn to play Drums
  7. Own the most luxurious Mercedes
  8. Be on a mountain top, arms widespread, and welcome the sun.
8 things I say often :
  1. Arre yaar
  2. kya baat kar raha hai
  3. kuchh oonch-neech ho gayi to
  4. good for you
  5. sahi hai
  6. ummeed par to duniya kaayam hai
  7. sab moh-maya hai
  8. makhaa diya
8 books I last read :
  1. Deception point
  2. Angels and Demons
  3. One Night @ The Call Center
  4. The Da Vinci Code
  5. Night over Water
  6. Five Point Someone
  7. Digital Fortress
  8. The Interpreter of Maladies
8 songs I could listen to over and over again :
  1. Coming Back to Life - Pink Floyd
  2. Naa Jaane Kyun - Strings
  3. Rock the Raaga - Mrigya
  4. Bhor - Indian Ocean
  5. Knocking on Heaven's Door - Guns n Roses
  6. Deewana Hua Baadal - Mohd. Rafi & Asha Bhosle (Kashmir ki Kali)
  7. Sweet Child of Mine (the first 3:33 minutes) -Guns n Roses
  8. Jaage hain - A.R.Rahmaan (Guru)
8 people I think should do this tag :
  1. Lady Godiva
  2. Still Searching
  3. Zee
  4. Di
  5. Photon
  6. Reema
  7. Anu
  8. Animesh

jai ho