Take a dose from Danny Boyle

Indian filmmakers should take a cue from Slumdog's success and stop aping the West, suggest My NEWS readers

Take a dose from Danny Boyle

Indian filmmakers should take a cue from Slumdog's success and stop aping the West, suggest My NEWS readers

On a high: Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire bagged eight Oscars

Boyle decided to make a film with an Indian heart and chose to adapt a story written by an Indian author. He wrote a superb screenplay, cast many of our artistes including children, roped in our musical genius A R Rahman, and chose our slums to shoot the film. The end product was a superbly crafted film evocatively capturing the 'never-say-die' spirit of Indians.

Slumdog is a celebration of hope, grit and courage of the poor in India in the face of unimaginable difficulties. The racy narrative, taut storyline, the gripping climax and superb direction have worked their magic. Today, the world is tapping its feet to Jai Ho!.

Twenty-six years back, Sir Richard Attenborough made Gandhi, which also won international acclaim. Indian directors should take a cue from these legendary filmmakers. With all the ingredients of a typical Bollywood movie, Slumdog managed to grabu00a0 international attention. Does this ring a bell for filmmakers back home?

Sharada Iyer
findshars@gmail.com

Learn from Boyle

Danny Boyle has created waves across the world with Slumdog Millionaire. While Indian filmmakers are busy imitating western cinema, Boyle has directed a movie with a desi flavour. Slumdog is a movie based in India and touches upon issues that plague our society with great sensitivity.

When a Westerner can understand the plight of the common man and present it in a movie that goes on to win the Oscars, why areu00a0 Indian directors lagging? Why can't they produce meaningful movies?

Enough of skin show and vulgarity, which only serve to inspire anti-social elements in society. Our filmmaker should create movies that send out a message to society. I hope Slumdog's success serves as a lesson to our desi directors.

Hansraj Bhat
Borivli

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