India’s need for another independence from thuggish politicians leads to Dabang, Signham and Rowdy Rathore being successful
Balanced on a knife’s edge Not too long ago we celebrated our n th independence day. We waved a few flags, sent out customary greetings to our friends and family, enjoyed a day off and forgot all about the real issues that face our country today. Make no mistake: India is at a precipice today balancing itself at a knife’s edge. Currently, the entire social fabric that weaves India together is about to be destroyed. And nothing can be more appropriate, more illuminating than the current crop of movies that are being churned out by Bollywood and are rip-roaringly successful. Bollywood as a mirror of Indian society Traditionally, Bollywood has always reflected India’s broader sentiment at large. In the 50’s and 60’s it was Manoj Kumar singing “Mere Desh ki Dharti” and Lal Bahadur Shastri saying “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan”. The era when the farmer issues dominated the on screen cinema personified by “Mother India” In the 70’s it was the angry young man, Amitabh fighting against esta...