BollyWood Betrayal
BollyWood Betrayal
By Dr. Savinder Singh
Commenting on the portrayal of Christians by Bollywood, John Dayal of The Delhi Midday writes:
- The Indian Christian is not amused at the image that is portrayed of him in Indian, particularly Hindi, films where film makers have taken thematic short-cuts by showing Indian Christians as gangsters or moronic priests, have cast aspersions on their patriotism, and worse, on their morality and sexual codes. There are few takers anymore for the Hindi film image of a Christian nurse, or a cabaret dancer. --Editor
When I first considered writing this article I thought hard about developing a title that would be both pertinent and bring out the main focus of my issue with Bollywood and their representation of Sikhs roles. The ones I toyed with were:
- Sikh’s in Bollywood
- Sikh actors and their associated roles
- Bollywood Portrayal of Sikhs.
It was from this last headline and analysis of the history of Bollywood cinema that I finalised my view that the role of Sikhs in Bollywood has instead been one of betrayal.
Sikhs are an average 2% of the population of India and 2% worldwide. Their ideals are based on service, defending the defenceless, equality, humbleness and respecting other religions. Sikhs can be found in many different fields of industry.
However, consider the average portrayal of a Sikh in a Bollywood movie. Often their images are linked to storylines that involve, hotel door staff, construction, transportation, military/police, alcohol, the highly short-tempered, the object of humour and coarsely spoken Punjabi.
I personally can remember only one movie where a Sikh was shown as a lead. Interestingly, the family consisted of mixed Sikh and Hindu faiths. This representation seems to have a habit of repeating itself. Is Bollywood suggesting that this integration of Sikhs and Hindu’s is a norm? Or, is there a more sinister campaign!? For example, one often ‘sees’ the lead girl’s father with a turban but any children are raised as Hindus and the relationship is then finally religiously sanctified at a Hindu ceremony.
Was the Sikh parent in turban one of the first born from a Hindu family – in the past this apparently happened. Notice the names of family members of Dil Wale Dulhanya Le Jayege. My issue is not with any religion, we have to respect each other. Indeed, critics may say that when watching Bollywood movies the viewer should ‘buy in’ to the Bollywood fantasy. I disagree as some aspect of positive realism and role modelling needs to be in place. We need a perspective that shows who Sikhs really are. We need to ensure that historic references and storylines images are also not distorted.
One movie I found personally offensive was Gaddar and the role of the Sikh. In particular with its image and end of story ideal’s distortion. However, it was still ‘viewed’ as a successful movie? Standing inline to see the latest Sci-Fi flick at the local Multiplex it was interesting to see posters for Bollywood’s latest offerings standing with equal placement next to the usualy US dominated movie posters. The audiences for the Bollywood items were mixed, Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus. One chap next to me asked me what I’d come to see. Then he passionately explained his interest in Bollywood. "I love the songs" he said. "You don’t get them in English films."
Now was not the time to tell him about my issues. But it did get me thinking about why I have such an issue. I’ll admit on sheer entertainment value Bollywood provides a mix of melodrama, action and romance. However, I’m confident that there are audiences that want to see a reflection and perspective on social reality. It would be great to get a Bollywood movie that that respects language and respects the religious conviction of any religion that it features.
Currently, Bollywood movies certainly contain outside (foreign to India) shoots (footage). One minute you’ll find yourself in Glasgow, the next minute the lead girl will be standing on a cliff edge near the sea in the Maldives. Lets please not forget the following wedding reception dance with Sikhs Dholling the night away behind the lead actor. The final scene may find the happy couple dancing and standing on mountain edges in Switzerland.
The scenery may have changed but the old formula seems to stay the same. We need a change but I’m afraid too many people continue to endorse the industry. We need to stand-up and complain against the violence, poor treatment of servants, portrayal of caste, the image of subdued women, inter-Indian racism and very negative discriminatory humour against the disabled.
How can we do this? I guess one way is to consider the points in this article and when you do ‘flock’ to see actors during a personal appearance, please don’t just idolise them, but do ask them what they can do to improve the image of the industry.
Finally, you could support short movies and social Indian movies that show talents of great filmmakers. As Sikhs we also have a role to play to develop our own short documentaries that can be featured for international communities. I’m sure we have the money, just look at what we can build! Remember the Oscar winning movie about the ‘rumble in the jungle’ featuring the Muhammad Ali and George Foreman fight in Zaire.
I believe if we had a greater presence and feature in the media we can help educate others as to who we are and what we stand for. We certainly are not in Bin Laden’s camp and have nothing to do with his regime!! I have to admit that maybe I should have made this statement, earlier, to a group of young girls, when I overheard one in particular, who while looking at me muttered, "Bin Laden" under her breath, but it’s all too easy to ignore people and avoid any unpleasant confrontations.
We have a great religion. Remember if it wasn’t for Sikhs we would have all been ethnically cleansed in the days of the Mughals and the ‘free India’ movement (from the British occupation) just wouldn’t have happened.
So, let’s make some movies with stories that show who we really are not what Bollywood wants us to be. Next time you watch a Hindi movie and see the poor portrayal of a Sikh ask yourself the question, ‘Why,’ then shout out ‘Get real’!
A reader comments
So, make some movies with stories that show who the Sikhs really are and not what Bollywood chooses to depict. Even produce some full scale feature films with Sikhs involved in every aspect of film making; the writing, production and even acting.
In the early years of Hollywood, people of African descent were not even allowed in films. They were depicted by 'white' actors who literally blackened their faces with shoe polish--the only problem was that the 'kala-mukhi' was on, to use the current politically correct phrase, the African-Americans. When actual African-Americans were allowed in films they were expected to act stupid and comical. And with the screen name of 'Stepin Fetchit' Lincoln Perry became a millionaire in the thirties (he remains one of the most controversial movie actors in American history). You can imagine the roles he had by the name--his roles made Jackie Lever and Cantinflas look intelligent and dignified by comparison.)
The African-American community was not amused. It took a long hard peaceful fight to win equal rights and respect - including today being involved in every aspect of film making. If you were able to ask Martin Luther King who he patterned his long morcha after he would mention his great debt to the Mahatma and 'his' Satyagraha (truthful resistance to evil with non-violent resistance). In the Atlanta church in which his daughter is now the Pastor there is a large bronze portrait of Gandhi ji and his wife Kasturbai (a gift of the Indian Government)--there is no mention of any thing pertaining to the Sikh contribution to the fight for freedom that removed the yoke of British oppression from the shoulders of all Indians, of every religion.
So, while the depiction of that which is at the very core of Sikhi——the Eleven Gurus, their lives and teachings may be taboo, there is a great deal that can be told. So who will start? Saka Nanaka, perhaps?
Dr. Savinder Singh says, "I personally can remember only one movie where a Sikh was shown as a lead. Interestingly, the family consisted of mixed Sikh and Hindu faiths.
Not being a Sikh and being raised in the US may I mention the film "Shaheed-E-Mohabbet", the real-life story of Boota Singh and the film "Shaheed Udham Singh" both excellent films in my book and the lead actor Gurdas Mann is also well known around the world for his music. In fact Gurdas Mann is often given the credit for raising Bhangra music from its regional popularity in the Punjab to the world-wide acclaim it now enjoys.
Since its introduction his hit song "Apna Punjab" has garnered international popularity and critical acclaim. I believe that Mr. Mann is a 'Mann Jat Sikh' or am I missing something. The movie Shaheed-E-Mohabbet is one of my favorite films, it shows the good, the bad and the ugly of both the Sikhs and the Muslims (Hindus are marjinalized in this Bollywood production) during the partition.
-added comment by a reader
A link to the page on Gurdas Maan and a page yet to be written on Boota Singh
