Some days back I saw “Rang de basanti”. And I thought it a fantastic film. I reviewed in my Movie Review Blog, here. I like it and I said so. Unlike many others apparently. Some criticised it on their blogs, some in their comments and Vijay pointed me to a an article which castigated the movie for being wrong (according to the author). And when I saw Vijay’s comment on the blog, I replied in 2 lines – too sleepy then. And later I though I’d reply in detail, but my reply got so big, I’m making it into a blog post.

It bothers me not a whit, that my idea of good film is not everyone else’s. In short, who cares ? It is OK and pretty normal for everyone to have their own views, of course. My reality is mine alone, and the way I percieve stuff is probably different from the way you percieve your world. Anyway, it’d be pretty boring if we all thought the same way.

I saw RDB as a film, not as a mantra, or a magical formula teaching the wayward youth how to go about their business. For all those who say, that RDB preaches the violent and wrong way to go about things, I say RDB does not profess to be a recipe to be followed. A pinch of patriotism, a dash of violence, and voila ! there you have it – a non-corrupt nation ! I think not. The world doesn’t work that way. And anyway, if you did want step-by-step instruction on how to be a patriot, I’m sure you’d find it on the Internet :-).

I do not believe in Gandhian principles but neither do I say killing the corrupt politicians (which would probably wipe out most of them) is the way to go. Plus you’d find very few volunteers for that kind of national “service”, I bet ! The way is to be decided by ourselves, by each one of us in our own way. However the reason I applaud films like “RDB”, “Yuva” and “Swades” is because of the spirit of the films. They are passionate and have energy, and show the way. May not be the right way, mind you ! But they stir you and tell you a story, which you might identify with, or a character who sounds oh-so-familiar, and his problems are your problems, and his anguish is yours.

We need stirring. Big-time. It’s not neccesary that once stirred, you do as the protagnists have done, it’s just important for now, to be stirred. And if it is a film that’ll do it, or atleat get you thinking about the topic, I’m all for it.