SAJAforum

WEBCAST: Post-Oscar call-in show about "Slumdog Millionaire"

Listen to a recording:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/saja/2009/02/23/Slumdog-Millionaire-Post-Oscar

Don't forget: SAJAforum will be liveblogging the Oscars themselves at the link here and AFTER the telecast, will be hosting the event below.

On Sunday, Feb. 22, as soon as the Best Picture Oscar is announced, join SAJA (South Asian Journalists Association) and SAMMA (South Asians in Media and Marketing Association) on BlogTalkRadio for a live two-hour webcast and call-in show about "Slumdog Millionaire."

• Film experts, journalists and others will discuss the phenomenon that the movie has become and why - no matter how it does at the Oscars - it will be talked about for years to come.
• We will look at every aspect of the film - its origin as Vikas Swarup's novel; how it almost never made it to the screen; the reviews around the world; its Golden Globe and BAFTA success; how it was marketed and promoted in ways never seen before; the controversies surrounding it and much, much more.
• We will also have live reports from the post-Oscar parties in various cities, including the official Fox Searchlight party for "Slumdog" cast and crew in Hollywood as well as live reaction from Mumbai.
• Confirmed speakers so far include:
  Cyndi Stivers, managing editor, EW.com, the website of Entertainment Weekly (see EW's coverage)
  Rita Drucker, senior VP of feature film promotions for 20th Century Fox
  Maria Giovanna, blogger, Filmiholic.com, a blog about all things Bollywood
  Anna John, blogger, SepiaMutiny.com
  Minal Hajratwala, author of the forthcoming "Leaving India: My Family's Journey From Five Villages to Five Continents" and a critic of the film (see her critiques here and here) - and read her blog post that tells you how you can help specific organizations deal with specific problems/issues shown in the slums of Mumbai 
  Aseem Chhabra, SAJA board member and arts writer who has been commenting on the film for everyone from Good Morning America to NPR to India Abroad (see AseemChhabra.com)
  Raakhee Mirchandani, fashion reporter, New York Post

FILM: India frets, tweets, celebrates over "Slumdog Millionaire"

We know than no controversial film release is complete in India without a lawsuit, several street protests and offended religious groups. And so it goes with "Slumdog Millionaire." Let's start with Tapeshwar Vishwakarma, general secretary of Slum Dwellers’ Joint Action Committee: he filed a complaint because he believed the film’s name defames slum-dwellers by calling them ‘slumdogs’.

Erika Kinetz in the Huffington Post: "Protesters held up banners reading "Poverty For Sale" and "I am not a dog" outside Anil Kapoor's House’."

A Hindu group in Goa demanded a ban on the release of the film, saying a few scenes in the award-winning film denigrate Lord Ram. Then they went further:

A mob of Shiv Sena activists threw stones at and ransacked a multiplex cinema in Panaji on Friday for screening internationally acclaimed film "Slumdog Millionaire."

The film, which has already won several Golden Globe awards and has been nominated in 10 Oscar categories, has been the target of Hindu right wing groups, who claim that the movie hurts Hindu sentiments.

The Panaji police arrested 12 activists, including Goa Shiv Sena unit chief Upendra Gaonkar, for the attack.

The police said the Shiv Sainiks have been booked for tearing posters and breaking the glass facade of the only multiplex in Panaji.

In the midst of all the hype-joy and despair-aggravation, AFP reports from Mumbai, a day after the release:

Newspapers reported a good turnout for the film on its first day, receiving praise from cinema-goers for the strength of its story, cinematography and music.

Nevertheless, some expressed disappointment, saying it failed to live up to the hype, was not as good as Vikas Swarup's book "Q and A," on which it was based, or that it gave a foreigner's view of India and poverty.

Cinema managers were reportedly expecting attendance to pick up over the weekend, but one highlighted how the film was viewed in certain quarters in the home of Bollywood.

"'Slumdog' is big but it is essentially a Hollywood film," Joydeep Ghoshroy, general manager for marketing and sales at PVR Cinemas, told the Hindustan Times.

The LA Times also got a sense from Indians who’ve seen the film:

Reporting from Mumbai, India -- Even as American audiences gush over "Slumdog Millionaire," some Indians are groaning over what they see as yet another stereotypical foreign depiction of their nation, accentuating squalor, corruption and impoverished-if-resilient natives
<snip>

WEBCAST: Danny Boyle, director of "Slumdog Millionaire"

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Listen to the Danny Boyle webcast via the player above or via this link.

To get a flavor of the webcast, here is a three-minute segment where Boyle answers questions about the future of the child actors from the slums and whether he knows someone as lucky as Jamal - his answers might surprise you:

Boyle on the child actors & more (3:07 in MP3) - full webcast above.

Four days after he was nominated for a best director Oscar and his film received nine other nominations - and three days after its opening in India - Danny Boyle talks about "Slumdog Millionaire" in a live SAJA/SAMMA webcast (if you miss it live, you can catch the recording at BlogTalkRadio.com/saja). What should we ask him? Post questions in the comments section below. (Below, you will find links to SAJA webcasts with A.R. Rahman, who has three Oscar nominations and Vikas Swarup, whose novel helped Simon Beaufoy get a best adapted screenplay nomination).

Monday, Jan. 26, 2009
Noon-1 pm New York time
9-10 am Hollywood time
10:30-11:30 pm Bollywood time
See local time around the world: http://snurl.com/anhrr

Co-hosts: Aseem Chhabra, entertainment writer and SAJA co-founder; and Sree Sreenivasan, Columbia J-school professor and SAJA co-founder.

Listen live, or later to a recording:
(you can go and set an e-mail reminder for yourself)
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/saja/2009/01/26/Danny-Boyle-director-of-Slumdog-Millionaire

or listen live via your phone by dialing this NYC number +1-347-324-5991

Send your questions/comments via e-mail to saja[at]columbia.edu (subject = webcast) or by posting them in comments section below. You can also use the chatroom that will be open at the link at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/saja/2009/01/26/Danny-Boyle-director-of-Slumdog-Millionaire to ask questions.

As always, you are welcome to quote from anything said during the
FREE, WORLDWIDE webcasts (50+) at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/saja

Earlier on SAJAforum, including SAJA webcasts:

• SAJAforum blogger Jyoti Gupta's extensive roundup of the response to the movie in India
• 10 Oscar nominations for "Slumdog Millionaire"
• "Slumdog Millionaire" wows critics and moviegoers
• Slumdog Millionaire wins big-big at the Golden Globes
• Aseem Chhabra's Q&A with Danny Boyle, director of "Slumdog Millionaire"
• ** Listen to webcast with A.R. Rahman, music maestro
• ** Listen to webcast with Vikas Swarup, whose novel "Q&A" became "Slumdog Millionaire"
• Slumdog stars go on media blitz

See SAJAforum blogger Jyoti Gupta's extensive roundup of the response to the movie in India.

SONG: Twinkle Twinkle, a la Carnatic, Telugu, Mallu, Punju

We posted last year on an alleged interpretation of Jack 'n Jill by KL Saigal, but of course the oeuvre is endless. Here's an actress from a Tamil sitcom in which you can experience Twinkle Twinkle in various South and North Indian renderings.

According to one YouTube commenter, the first Twinkle Twinkle she performs is in Vasantha Ragam.
I particularly like the endless laugh track, and the token suspicious neighbor who shows up near the end. Anyone know the Tamil serial, or the Bollywood film that shows up at the end of the clip? Love that dress.

For those new to the art of Indian nursery song drills, check out this video. Also, Bhai's version. And this clip has renderings of Twinkle Twinkle in Carnatic and Bollywood styles. And here's a version of Baa Baa Black Sheep, with tabla, and yet another, performed by what appears to be some sort of teacher. This Twinkle Twinkle, lip-synched by an Indian teenager in school uniform, is sped up and a little eerie. I really must pull myself away now.

FILM: Slumdog Millionaire wins big-big at the Golden Globes

[That's Frieda Pinto on the lead item at the Drudge Report at 11:15 pm ET, right after the show. Scroll down to see what was the lead item at 9:15 am ET the next day]

Just when I thought we'd grown jaded by desi milestones - best SAT score ever, longest arangetam ever - the Golden Globes happened, and we were treated to a succession of never-before-ever images:

• AR Rahman wins for best score (Slumdog), thanks people of India
• Shah Rukh Khan presents the film clip of Slumdog, threatens Bolly-style pelvic thrust to suited-booted white audience, gives small, charming hug to Freida Pinto, thus presenting inter-gender, inter-religious harmony of Hindustan to rest-of-world
• Danny Boyle wins for best director (Slumdog), prompting audience member Anil Kapoor to perform small leap in the air. I'm embarrassed, but more embarrassed by his unfortunate choice of beard.
• Final presentation... Tom Cruise presenting... Slumdog wins for Best Picture - hello! Whole cast assembles on stage: Danny Boyle, the producer (Christian Colson), Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, AR Rahman, and of course... Anil Kapoor's facial shrubbery. 

So Slumdog went 4 for 4, also winning best original screeplay.

Pet peeve of the night: AR Rahman's name was mangled not once, but twice, including in David Duchovny's "correction." "A.R. Roomin"?? It's Rehh-maan, Hollywood, Rehhh-maaaahn. I must say, I feel slighted. When will these people learn?

That said: a good night. Onward to Oscar (nominations announced Thursday, Jan. 22; the movie opens in India later this week). 

Other coverage: LATimes | NYTimes

Earlier on SAJAforum:

• Shah Rukh Khan to present at Golden Globes
• Listen to webcast with A.R. Rahman, music maestro
• Listen to webcast with Vikas Swarup, whose novel "Q&A" became "Slumdog Millionaire"
• Slumdog stars go on media blitz
• "Slumdog Millionaire" wows critics and moviegoers
• Q&A with Danny Boyle, director of "Slumdog Millionaire"

Post your comments and Oscar predictions below.

[ABOVE: That's the Drudge Report site at 11:15 pm ET, right after the show. BELOW: the lead item at 9:15 am ET the next day]

FILM: Shah Rukh Khan to present at Golden Globes tonight

UPDATES: 9:20 pm - Simon Beaufoy who wrote Slumdog wins for Adapted Screenplay.
9:45 pm: A.R. Rahman wins for Original Score (his name was mispronounced twice, including once when David Duchovny tried to correct it. The right way is "Rehh-maan")
10:15 pm: Danny Boyle wins Best Director for Slumdog
10:59 pm: Slumdog Millionaire wins for Best Picture - Drama
Keep track via the live reports by Rediff.com

The Golden Globes are on tonight, and we'll be watching to see if "Slumdog Millionaire" gets any Golden Globular love, mmm. It's been nominated for four GGs, including Best Drama Picture, Best Screeplay, Best Director and Best Original Score (AR Rahman's). But the big surprise is going to be Mr. Shah Rukh Khan - King Khan - is set to present an award. More from Market Wire, via MSNBC:

HOLLYWOOD, CA - Shah Rukh Khan, Bollywood's biggest film star and recently named by Newsweek as one of the 50 most powerful people in the world (the only film star on the list), has been set as a presenter at "The 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards" to be telecast live on NBC Sunday, January 11 (8 - 11 p.m. EST) at The Beverly Hilton.

He joins previously announced presenters Simon Baker, Drew Barrymore, Pierce Brosnan, Sandra Bullock, Gerard Butler, Glenn Close, Sacha Baron Cohen, Sean Combs, Johnny Depp, Cameron Diaz, David Duchovny, Aaron Eckhart, Zac Efron, Laurence Fishburne, Megan Fox, Ricky Gervais, Jake Gyllenhaal, Salma Hayek, The Jonas Brothers, Jessica Lange, Blake Lively, Eva Longoria, Jennifer Lopez, Hayden Panettiere, Chris Pine, Amy Poehler, Zachary Quinto, Seth Rogen, Martin Scorsese, Sting and Mark Wahlberg.

According to this Golden Globe presentation schedule, SRK will be introducing the film clip of "Slumdog." Wouldn't it be totally awesome if he also played the piano onstage?? Anyone who's seen DDLJ knows that he's not only an amazing actor, a very decent human being, and a superlative husband, but a phenomenal piano player as well. And those abs in Om Shanti Om... OMG!

Here's what our filmi maven Aseem Chhabra had to say about this moment in history:

The Golden Globes are run by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.  The show has similar viewership like the Oscars. But since HFPA represents foreign film journalists they often invite the type of movie stars who are popular abroad (but not necessarily in the US) -- stars like Stallone or foreign stars like Depardieu.  SRK being invited is an indication (rather late, though) that the HFPA is finally acknowledging Bollywood. The HFPA is also acknowledging that people in India -- millions of them -- look to Hollywood and watch Hollywood award shows.

WEBCAST: "Chandni Chowk to China," a Warner Bros. Bollywood film

SAJA webcast with "CC2C" stars Akshay Kumar and Deepika Padukone and director Nikhil Advani ("Kal Ho Na Ho") , Thursday, Jan. 8, 3:30-4:15 pm NY time. Listen live or to a recording: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/saja/2009/01/08/Stars-of-Chandni-Chow-to-China 

Warner Brothers, the venerable Hollywood studio, is now in the Bollywood business, releasing "Chandni Chowk to China," described as "the first-ever Bollywood Kung fu comedy." (Chandni Chowk is a famous neighborhood in Delhi).

Here's what Aseem Chhabra, SAJA board member and arts writer, has to say about the movie:

"Chandini Chowk to China" is being released at a time when Bollywood has become a player in the global market.  Indian film producers have long realized the global potential of their films, especially in the US and UK, with large segments of new immigrants from South Asia.  And now Hollywood film companies are also stepping into the mix. In the past couple of years, Sony and Disney have produced films in India.  With "CC2C" Warner Bros has produced a Bollywood film for the global market -- banking on the hugely popular star Akshay Kumar. The film combines Bollywood's comedy and musical numbers, with the Chinese martial arts.  It's Indo-Chinese fusion -- a Jackie Chan-like action comedy with a healthy touch of Bollywood.  Like "Slumdog Millionaire," "CC2C" will also open up the world of Indian popular cinema to American audiences.

From the press release for the Toronto premiere (below in full, along with NYC press conference):

Warner Bros. Pictures will be releasing the film CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA in North America on January 16th.  The film will open in select theatres in more than 50 markets, making it one of the largest initial releases of any Bollywood film in the United States and Canada.

      CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA stars the heartthrob of Indian Cinema and current reigning king of Bollywood, Akshay Kumar.  The cast also includes stunning model-turned-actress Deepika Padukone, Bollywood veteran Mithun Chakraborty, Ranvir Shorey, and Chinese martial arts expert and actor Gordon Liu (“Kill Bill: Volumes One and Two”).  Nikhil Advani (“Kal Ho Na Ho”) directed the film from a screenplay by Shridhar Raghavan.  Ramesh Sippy, Mukesh Talreja and Rohan Sippy are the producers.  The film also features stunts choreographed by veteran martial arts stunt coordinator Huen Chiu-Ku, whose credits include “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” “Kill Bill: Vols. 1 and 2” and “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.”

 

More on the film at www.cc2c-thefilm.com

What do you think? Post your comments below. Learn more about Bollywood via SAJA's 2007 Bollywood Briefing series (several short videos) with Aseem Chhabra, arts journalist.

MUMBAI ATTACKS: Bollywood already planning movies about the attacks

[See SAJAforum's full coverage of the Mumbai attacks]

It hasn’t even been a month since multiple attacks terrorized Mumbai, but Bollywood already seems ready to recapture the days of terror.

According to the Times of London, Vijay Verma, producer of an upcoming movie about the terror attacks, says his script is ready and shooting is slated to begin in a matter weeks. “What happened must be brought before the public,” he said. The movie is titled, “26/11 at Mumbai Operation.”

The Times also states that director Ram Gopal Verma and his actor son had been among the first people allowed inside the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel where the shooting spree took place.

But there are critics who say Bollywood is trying to cash on the dreadful day.

From the Telegraph:

"People jump on every tragedy. It is like ambulance chasing" well known documentary film-maker Anand Patwardhan said. "It is an attempt to exploit the misery of people," he added.

"Bollywood stops at nothing to make money" Mumbai housewife Badru Nissa said. The city has barely cremated and buried its dead and it wants to milk this tragedy for profit," she added angrily.

A number of other titles have been registered for movies dealing with the Mumbai attacks including: "26/11 Mumbai Under Terror," "Operation Five-Star Mumbai," "Taj to Oberoi," "48 hours at the Taj" and "Black Tornado."

The Telegraph, citing Ujwala Londhe of the Producers Association, says that the first title was registered as early as Nov 28, a day before the drama ended.

Bollywood has made many films relating to terrorism and Islamic militants. Among them: "Fiza," "Mission Kashmir" (co-written by authors Suketu Mehta and Vikram Chandra) and "Little Terrorist."

One of Bollywood’s top stars, Shah Rukh Khan, is also to act in a movie exploring the issue of Islam in the post 9/11 world and the misconception that all Muslims are terrorists, the AFP writes.

"My Name is Khan" tells the story of six people with Muslim surnames who suffer suspicion and prejudice years after the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States.

What do YOU think? Post your comments below.

   

WEBCAST: A.R. Rahman, the biggest name in Indian music

[PLEASE SUPPORT SAJA: Help us meet our new $15,000 challenge grant: http://saja.org/articles/saja-group-receives-prestigious-challenge-grant ]

NEWSMAKER CHAT: A.R. Rahman, the biggest name in Indian music

Monday, Dec. 8, 2008 (recording above)
Noon-1:30 pm NY time
9 am-10:30 am LA time (that's where he'll be calling in from)
Local time around the world: http://snurl.com/7biou
He will be with us for the first hour; we'll discuss his work and career after he leaves us

Listen live or to a recording above or on this link:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/saja/2008/12/08/AR-Rahman
(you can go and set an e-mail reminder for yourself)
or listen live via your phone by dialing this NYC number +1-347-324-5991

A.R. Rahman is one of the most important figures in world music today and is one of the 25
top-selling recording artists of all time worldwide. His work on the soundtrack of "Slumdog
Millionaire" has helped propel the attention the movie has been getting (including this week's prize
as "Best Film" by the National Board of Review, the first prize of the U.S. awards season; and
several British prizes) More on him http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._R._Rahman

Co-hosting are two SAJA board members and arts writers: Aseem Chhabra (NYC), Aparita Bhandari (Toronto)

You can ask your questions via phone or the live chatroom or post them below in the comments section, please. We will read our questions and comments to Rahman during the show. You can also e-mail  saja[at]columbia.edu (subject line = webcast)

More on "Slumdog Millionaire, including the soundtrack": http://www.foxsearchlight.com/slumdogmillionaire/
Press contact for the movie and soundtrack: Gitesh Pandya <gpandya[at]boxofficeguru.com>

Read SAJAforum's in-depth coverage of "Slumdog"

Read blogger Filmiholic's posting on what Rahman means to her.

Post your comments/questions below.

MOVIES: Slumdog stars go on media blitz

I liked "Slumdog Millionaire." It's a pretty good, highly entertaining movie; especially the first half, which gives you a rather unsettling glimpse of slum life in Mumbai, and stars actual kids from the slums. That said, it perplexes me that quite a few reviewers are calling it a "masterpiece," including the WSJ's Joe Morgenstern, as we noted last week on SAJAforum. Whatever - I'm not on a crusade against "Slumdog" hype (although the title, it must be said, is pretty bad; they need to call it "Street Urchin Double-Crorepati"). And if anything, I'm enjoying the movie more, just by watching the TV appearance being made by the movie's leads, Dev Patel and Freida Pinto.

Here's a really good interview, on NBC's "Today" show, conducted by Meredith Veira. She asks Patel about how he got into the mindset of a slum kid, and at the end, he and the fetching Freida do a little dance (made me feel better about the somewhat cringe-inducing dance in the actual movie).

Check it.

And here's Dev on "The Late Show with David Letterman," a few days ago.