So the New Year 2010 has begun with great enthusiasm all around. Two “influential” movies were released in the last week of 2009 ‘3 Idiots’ and ‘Avatar’ and I enjoyed both of them here in US with my friends! Initially I came out of the theater, actually thinking for a moment, that it was nothing less than an excellent movie…But managed to quickly resurrect my opinion. I am not completely writing it off here and the movie does have ample bright spots.
This is just my personal opinion that ‘3 idiots’ doesn’t deserve the hype and attention it is attracting. Nevertheless, it only once again affirmed to me that you can sell ANYTHING with persistent marketing and advertising. You can make people believe that what they just got is the best they have ever!! You can innovatively package a mediocre product and using all possible media hammering you can convincingly proclaim how it is the best!!! I am beleaguered to see how easily masses can be influenced if you manage to SPEAK UP!! All the Chetan Bhagat controversy around only added to the business making it the highest grossing Bollywood movie yet!
I don’t intend to take anybody’s side here – neither Chetan Bhagat nor the Movie producers. The movie producers are saying that they already have a contract and have paid for the movie script. Fair enough Huh…?! Wouldn’t it have been a nice goodwill gesture to express gratitude and declare that the movie was inspired by the book ‘Five point someone’? Instead they simply put his name in the credit roll at the end and it’s barely visible. Now Chetan Bhagat is agitated by this and is driven to speak up! Supposedly, because of the phenomenal success the movie has received! Isn't he only giving in to the mind game here? Instead, may be, he could have let others point out the similarities and accuse the producers of not showing the courtesy of giving due credit to Chetan Bhagat! Here was an opportunity for him to simply let be and enjoy the fact that those who have read the book will eventually understand “what percent” of the movie is based on it themselves. Rather he could bask in his writing abilities and the fact that he was acclaimed by everyone for sharing his story through the book, that he enjoyed doing it, that it was his launch pad for what he does best! How could he overlook the novelty – “strive for excellence and success will follow”!? Finally, in the end Aal izz well, izzn’t it?!! :) :) :)
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Though I agree with the fact that the movie was hyped, I do not have an iota of doubt that the movie has lived upto its expectations. Again I believe that even if initially a product may sell in the market based on intense advertising, its long run is determined by the actual product and its attributes. Here the attributes which made the movie a blockbuster hit are the direction and the superb performances of the 3 idiots as well as the supporting cast. The mass reception of the movie and the critics reviews all point to the fact that 'All Izz Well' with 3 idiots. People are saying that the Chetan Bhagat controversy was a publicity stunt intended to increase the revenues of both the movie as well as the sale of the book FPS. But the fact remains that 3 idiots was already declared a hit before Chetan Bhagat came about claiming the credit for the story. Though I have to admit the fact that the movie was a larger percent of the book FPS than what was claimed by the producers, once you sell the rights of the book, I do not think Chetan has a right to claim that he be given credit for the script. I think it will be in the best interest of both the writer and the producer, if they can bury the hatchet and move forward by saying 'All Izz Well'. Chetan can feel happy that his book has been made into such a great movie and will reach a much greater audience. Vinod should just leave all the controversy aside and enjoy the suceess of the movie. In the end, if a movie is able to make you smile and make you take back fond memories, I will certainly say 'All Izz Well'.
ReplyDeleteThanks Shyraj for posting your response!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes - Aal izz well! :)
Hey,whatever you have written in this post, I second it. After all that has happened, I always thought there is a misplaced sense of pride existing in the minds of both the writer of the book and the producers of the film! You have explicated it well! I am glad to see you blogging :)
ReplyDeleteLoads of Wishes,
Ketkee
Thank you so much Ketkee! :)
ReplyDeleteI am eagerly waiting for Katekey's next blog...
Hi
ReplyDeleteI am here to critize the points mentioned in this Blog...Most of you call it destructive criticism and not a constructive one...
For me its not a criticism of any kind..its being practical and understanding the fact and realty of this world for my and our perspective...
My critcism would be to make people realize the facts of this world..bring a common man...
Thats why i like people like Madhur Bhandarkar who tries to show the world..especially a common man the real picture behind the sccenes...for ex. a movie called Fashion...
So the point mentioned by the writter of this blog about the Chetan Bhagat and Producers and Aamir K with the fight that got messy..and finally Saying Chetan should have strived for excellence and bla bla bla...
Excuse me...3 Idiots was a typical Bollywood Masala movie...what the message the movie convey can take place in real world only 1ce out 10 times..
Finally Chetan Bhagat is a human..he well educated IITian...and most respected Indian(English) writter whoes feet success has kissed immensely....
As per my criticism and being practical at the top level Both Aamir and 3Idiots are true friends who Party together is many lavish nightclubs in Amchi Mumbai...
They call up their true friend MD of TOI..Mr Vineet Jain..and three of them decide to make comman man a fool and mint some money out of gossips and publicity...by this Chetan Bhagat has profit that he can sell his book 5Point Someone to Masses as earlier it was sold only to educated class....
Aamir and Raju Hirani will get more crowd attracted who wld come reading the book and would compare the movie..and till one week they wld keep reading TOI to know the status of gossips and litigation....
Finally after seeing the collections of 3idiots chetan is surely needing some more money other than 10Lakh that he got earlier from producers...thats a fairly cheap price considering movies turnover above 200crores...
Well i would post another altogether different post for crticizing the movie 3Idiots...
Conclusion, we all should try to be practical..avoid getting fooled by Filmstars,Politicans,Industrialists etc..who are out here to make fool of comman man and make their pockets merry with money...
If you all have questions in your mind that how can i be so confident of Aamir and Chetan being friends and making fool of a comman man..then i thank God for giving me a larger and varied friend circle from poor to richie rich..and for showing me the real picture from close(seeing is believing) and that too at very early stage of my life...
Its like saying been there done that...my criticism based on my experience and not merely words for being cynical and skeptical about others....
Thanks and Regards,
Anish Ashturkar....
First of all I would like to thank you Anish, for taking the time out and penning your thoughts her.
ReplyDeleteWoah! I am tempted to say ‘no comments’ here but I must share this - as soon as I completed reading your comment; Phunsuk Wangdu popped up from the screen, rounded his lips, whistled and said Aall izz well!!! :):):)
Although it is sometimes better to be silent than to be with sound, I must say that I am getting comments from people with such varied level of consciousness and diverse thoughts that I only feel blessed and happy here!
:):):)
I dont know what to say here Buddy......
ReplyDeleteI saw this movie just for passing my time :)
I never knew anything about the book five point someone :( i wasn't even aware about this controversy of Chetan Bhagat & 3 idiots film inspired from his book and blah blah blah.....
Being in USA i dont think we ever get to see the trailers of any forth coming movies :(
So my point here is, May be what u have said in ur post that anything can be sold solely based on marketing & media hype......completely gets zeroed out in my case :O
I Fully enjoyed the movie and i would love to applaud for the efforts taken by the team of 3 idiots :)
AALLL IZZ WELL BOSS!!! ;P :D :) ;)
Thanks
Swati Pai
Thank you Swati!
ReplyDeleteYes! Here in US, simply being able to enjoy a Bollywood movie in theater leaves us overwhelmed.
I only tried to scrutinize the controversy here through my lens and it’s irrespective of the movie or the book mentioned.