Slumdog Millionaire & Indian Pride: "Get Over It"

Today's rage: A Time article expounding India's disfavor with the Western hit movie Slumdog Millionaire.

A great movie I must say. Although I can understand one of the comments in the article stating that Indians already see the filth/slum-life/begging all day and that when they go to the movie theaters they don't want to endure that. They would rather escape. Understood. That's why Bollywood movies are quite fantastical in their storyline and in their dancing glory. Okay, so I give them one there.

BUT to say that the movie is not realistic is to say that you are living in your own world. Because you have money in India does not mean that suddenly the 3rd world is no longer a haven for corruption, poverty, abuse, or any of the sadness no one wants to acknowledge. This lack of acknowledgment is precisely what leads to lack of development. No education - no power. Come on. Why is this so hard in this day and age to accept of the educated population in India. The article rightly comments that those in Dharavi (a slum in Mumbai where parts of the movie were shot) have sung praise while those who have risen the economic ladder in India shell their criticism at the film for its lack of "reality" and use of "well worn cliches." If I met that woman I'd have one thing to say sister: Your brothers are contradicting you when they say that its "too much reality" for a Saturday night and the cliches are not well worn. There are plenty who are unaware of the disparity -- particularly those outside your borders.

The truth is they feel its unpatriotic. By they I'm referring to Indian natives/residents. Unpatriotic is failing to acknowledge the truth - not hiding it for fear of embarrassment. When US movies were first floating the world and Indians (having not been exposed to other aspects) the average American was assumed to be a borderline alcoholic, sex-obsessed, lazy individual. Stereotypes - yes they can run wild and plant themselves in culture for generations.

I think we, Americans, are still trying to show Indians that we're not all about sex, drugs and alcohol and perhaps we have a long way to go. Still - you don't see us complaining that our independent films or our artistic literature are not being advertised amongst the world population. I also have no shame criticizing my own president for being a moron (and, neither does the other 79.999% of the population.) We're over ourselves. Indians - time for you to do the same.