ARE U PATRIOTIC?
DO OUR WAR FILMS MAKE U FEEL PATRIOTIC ?
My answer to the above questions are yes, I am patriotic and no,the films don't make me feel patriotic. Before I cite the reasons for why I feel so.... here's a list of some of the top patriotic films made post independence (not in any order)
1) MOTHER INDIA (1957)
Nargis, Sunil Dutt, Rajendra Kumar. Directed by Mehboob Khan.
A poetic film of epic proportions, it tells of the trials of a strong woman's dignity in the face of poverty and heart - rending misfortune.
2) SHAHEED(1965)
Manoj Kumar, Kamini Kaushal. Directed by Manij Kumar.
The definitive indian film on the freedom fighter Bhagath Singh, the film is ana inspiring biography of the martyr, played by India's ''Mr Bharath ''Manoj Kumar.
3) UPKAAR(1967)
Manoj Kumar, Asha Parekh. Directed by Manoj Kumar.
Bharath's character was downtrodden, demoralised, misunderstood, frustrated, deceived, wronged in every way and at every step, yet not defeated.
4) PURAB AUR PASCHIM (1970)
Manoj Kumar, Saira Banu. Directed by Manoj Kumar.
Bhagat 's father, a freedom fighter gets killed by the British after a tipp off from is best friend. Bharat goes to England and attempts to remind westernised Indians of the importance of retaining the heritage.
5)ROJA(1992)
Arvind Swamy, Madhoo. Directed by Mani Ratnam.
This poetic showcasing of human love and patriotism, tells the story of a newly-wed engineer who gets kidnapped by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir. His wife stuggles to get the government to secure his release.
6) BORDER(1997)
Sunny Deol, Akshaye Khanna, Suneil Shetty. Director JP Dutta.
After a gap of many years, in 1997, a new indian war movie was released. The story was based on the battle of Longewala, set in 1971 war. Border explores the lives, conditions, problems and aspirations of the soldiers of the armed forces and pits their bonds to their soil.
7) SARFAROSH(1999)
Aamir Khan, Naseerudidin Shah. Directed by John Mathew Matthan.
After his brother is killed and his father seriously injured by terrorists, a young medical student quits studying to join the police and hunt terrorists.
Sarfarosh exposes Pakistan's proxy war through the heroics of a Quiet Indian-ACP Rathod and his band of brothers. No expletives exchanged, no cross-border Tu-tu-mein-mein, just a mission accomplished.
8) THE LEGEND OF BHAGAT SINGH(2002)
Ajay Devgan, Amrita Rao. Directed by Raj Kumar Santoshi.
The film traces the remarkable life of the Indian freedom fighter Bhagat Singh ,who was inspired by the tragedy of the Jallianwalla Bagh massacre to take up the cause of fighting for India's freedom.
9) GADAR-EK PREM KATHA(2001)
Sunny Deol,Amisha Patel.Directed by Anil Sharma.
The film tells the tale of love in the time of partitionbetween a Sikh truck driver and a high society Muslim girl. Separations and reunions between the two makes up the modern day indian Romeo and Juliet story.
10) LAGAAN(2001)
Aamir khan, Gracy Singh. Directed by Ashutosh Gowrikar.
Set in the latter half of the nineteenth century, the film tells of the injustice perpetrated by the British on the poor peasants of Champaner, sufferin from draught. A one sided cricket match throws up unexpected results and frees the villagers from the payment of taxes to the British. India's nomination to the foriegn Oscars in 2001.
LOC- KARGIL
Deserves a special mention. Director JP Dutta
-it involved 32 stars, eleven cameras, 1000 armymen at any given time, 1,500,000 feet of exposed film, 200 notebooks of handwritten back ground notes, 26 meetins with families of the dead soldiers...a brave film ..Dutta must be commended for having his lion heart and sensibilities in the right place. However, one can't help get the feeling that he has created a piece that is far more about logistics of the chain of tragic events than a heart felt anti -war statement.
MY TAKE ON THE HINDI PATRIOTIC FILMS
But first, what is patriotism? is it wildly cheering when the jawaans are on their ceremonial march-past on the Republic day or going berserk when Sachin tears into the Ausie bowling attack? or is it ''you are either with us or against us'' Bush brand of desh -bakti?
I feel that the indain patriotic films r suggesting that patriotism is all about worshipping man-made boundries.
To me patriotism is feeling a sense of pride about being an Indian, upholding one's culture, being a good citizen, being responsible for my actions, observing civic rules, contributing something good to the country. So yes, I am patriotic!
But, I feel the least patriotic - during the elections, when people are being rude and disrespectfull towards women n the fact that India is one of the most corrupt countries in the world.
DO OUR WAR FILMS MAKE ME FEEL PATRIOTIC ?
Well..to tell u the truth-3 hours of hyped -up testosteron-aided action interspersed with mushy love scenes do not do the trick for me.
The problem with war-based films made in india is that they are yet to break out of the jingoistic mould. War is never presented the way it is - a bloody, dirty affair. Rather the films weave glorious tales of heroism and patriotism which are sometimes not true. Ofcourse jingoism sells-and it makes a great commercial sense for the filmmakers, though it is sad to see people cashing in on something thats so close to our heart.
Very few main stream indian films apart from Gulzar's Maachis and t o some extent Mani Ratnams Dil se-have attempted to be fair in dealing with the controversial issues like insurgency and war.
Most of the filmmakers have taken the easy way out by blaming an external force for all the internal troubles.
In my opinion, film makers can't bring about revolutions, but can certainly influence the perception about the other country, among the people of bureaucracy and even the government.
I feel that the film makers should present the facts as they are and let the audience decide the rest.
I would certainly like to know your take on this..what do u think? feel free to drop in your comments.
