At the time of release I could'nt make it to watch the first day first show of the movie as I usually do for Aamir Khan's movies. At last, some 8 days back, got a (pirated) DVD of Peepli Live on rent and literally thanked God for not blowing a huge amount on the movie tickets. In short, Peepli Live=Simply Horrible.
The latest news of 'Peepli Live is India's entry at the Oscars' really surprised me. Movies like Lagaan or Tare Zameen Par both produced by Aamir Khan were worth being entries for Oscars. The former showed how the Indian villagers succeeded in avoiding heavy taxes levied by the British rule, and the latter showed the problems faced by the dyslexic boy which were really appreciated by all. Unfortunately both did'nt win any Awards at the Oscars.
Slumdog Millionaire was another movie which was chosen for Oscars and even won 8 awards, the most for any film of 2008. The movie showed the life of a poor chap from Juhu slum, how the gangster trains him and his friends to be beggars, over a period of time they turn into pick-pocketers to make a living and so on. The whole movie shows how Indians live in utmost poverty where the people can't even afford their daily meals.
Peepli Live portrayed the life of the Indian Farmers who have to sacrifice their lives due to lack of basic necessities. It shows how the Indian Politicians for their personal interests use these common men and how the Indian Journalists make a big issue of trivial incidences to earn their bread and butter.
Are these topics a matter of World fame? Should we be proud in showcasing the weaker sections of our nation?
Tare Zameen Par or Lagaan showed Indian pride which could have been a reason for their dis-qualification at the Oscars.
Don't be surprised if Peepli Live too wins Awards at the Oscars, as I truely believe that Indian Movies can only bring in Oscar Awards by making a big hype of pains faced by poor and needy Indians.
