Nakal Mein Akal: Getting ‘Inspired’ Is An Old Bollywood Tale

By now almost everyone would be aware of the name Fareed Zakaria and the recent row involving the man. If not then let us do a small rewind for you. Fareed Zakaria, is an Indian-American journalist. He was the editor at Time magazine, as well as hosted a show at CNN. He was recently at the receiving end of a lot of flak when his work came under scrutiny, following charges of plagiarism. Here is an interesting article from Firstpost.com writer Vivek Kaul, who talks about how Fareed Zakaria is drawing so much attention from all sides, for his plagiarizing acts, but how our own Indian film industry, walks scott-free. Vivek Kaul uses Bollywood blockbuster, Sholay, to express his point of view.

Fareed Zakaria himself admitted to have borrowed portions from New York magazine's columnist Jill Lepore work, for his own column, where he talked about gun control in America. On the other hand, Bollywood is one of the biggest film industries of the world, and plagiarizing has been a part-and-parcel of its working, passing by everyday in the name of 'inspiration. Writers Salim-Javed's best Bollywood work, Sholay, is seen as the most 'inspired', western curry flick ever.

Fareed Zakaria

Vivek Kaul makes an interesting point, that giving any attribution for heavily borrowed....err inspired work has never ever been a norm in Bollywood, saying that, "Fareed Zakaria, unlike Salim-Javed, is unlucky to be living in an era where copying something, and passing it off as your own creation, is getting more and more difficult. Zakaria is just finding that out."

The writer further writes, "When Salim-Javed did Sholay, the times were different. People were not as much aware as they are today and it was easy to pass off someone else’s work as your own. In fact, the writer duo even went to the extent of creating a background for how they had been inspired in writing the “Veeru ki Shaadi” proposal scene. They got away with it. Zakaria clearly didn’t."

Though Vivek Kaul has just used one Bollywood film, Sholay, as an example to explain his point. But we are all too well-aware that Bollywood is bent too heavily under the burden of 'borrowing'. Whether it is film stories, dialogues, lyrics, music or any other aspect, we don't shy away from getting 'inspired' ever. But at least, our Indian film industry people are smart enough to know how to and from where to get 'inspired'. Maybe Fareed Zakaria forgot the fact that the he was actually lifting verses from one the most widely read magazines. Not an intelligent choice, we would say Mr. Zakaria.

What more perplexes many is that why a renowned and respectable journalist such as Fareed Zakaria did get involved into plagiarizing? Zakaraia, became a columnist with the Newsweek magazine in 2000 and then became the editor of Newsweek International. In 2010, he was honored by the prestigious Padma Bhushan Award, by Indian Government, for his contribution in the field of journalism. Zakaria was even hosting his own show, Fareed Zakaria GPS, on CNN, since 2008. What made the man who had accomplished so much, to risk it all?

Being a respectable journalist, with such a long standing career, saying that Zakaria never had any personal point-of-view or any personal understanding of news, would be redundant. And of course, Zakaria, would know how stringent the present age copyright laws are. Furthermore, the technology of discovering plagiarism in work is quite easily accessible. Even a Goggle search can help one in finding out whether an article is lifted or not. But the question still remains, why did Fareed Zakaria do it? In a statement Zakaria said, "Media reporters have pointed out that paragraphs in my Time column on gun control, which was also a topic of conversation on this blog, bear close similarities to paragraphs in Jill Lepore's essay in the April 23rd issue of The New Yorker. They are right. I made a terrible mistake."

Doesn't quite make sense Mr. Zakaria, does it? Well just to end with an old Hindi line, ‘Nakal mein bhi akal ki zaruraat hoti hai.’

(This article was first published on www.popcracker.com. To read more interesting articles on pop-culture visit www.popcracker.com)

Stupid Guy Goes To India: A true story that provides an Interesting read.

Stupid Guy Goes To India (SGGTI), by Yukichi is a funny and interesting story of a Japanese Manga writer and artist coming to India believing that he can make japanese Manga a rage in the heart of india.

Now what is the interesting part in the story:

A. It is a true story of Yukichi

B. It is simply hilarious as an idea that someone who doesn't know either Hindi or English coming all the way from Japan to Delhi.
C. He making every possible effort to not just start his own hindi version of Japanese Manga comics, but also adjusting to the country's lifestyle, work culture and even making friends.

The SGGTI is the english translation of Yukichi Yamamatsu's Japanese Manga Comic, published by Blaft Publication, and translated by Kumar Sivasubramanian. It is Yukichi's tale of desire, demands and struggles in India, where he came with the hope of publishing India's first Hindi Manga comic. What I like the best that, even despite the difference in style for those who are not used to a Manga, it is quite simple in terms of content and writing. It is a simple story, nothing pseudo or a sob story or something that would make you pity either Yukichi or Indians, due to their inherent nature. It makes you symapthetic towards Yukichi's efforts on understanding a different culture by still keeping his hopes of publishing a Japanese Manga in Hindi alive and striving.

The writing is pretty simple, nothing that would make you go in overtly thinking mode or a sob story. It presents a story as simply as someone narrating it, which exactly what it is, Yukichi narrating his story through words and images.

I'm in particularly love with Yukichi from SGGTI, he is a middle aged old man who has come to a totally different country with the aim of making them, of what he feels is non-existent, Manga culture of Japan. He doesn't know either Hindi or English, two most basic languages of communation in India. He is persistent, he is difficult, he is quick to learn and he learns quick the art of bargaining. Yukichi vents out his anger at the behavior of Indian work culture that causes delay in his project coming out but he is still never down in hopes. He is quick to adapt and adopt, he is creative and strong, he is old yet willful.

It is really interesting to see Yukichi's struggles with Indian people and Indian language. What I like is the fact that Yukichi's narrative never looses its coherent thread of being a story simply from Yukichi's point of view. It is funny, straight-forward, clean, easy to understand, and nothing like 'reading-between-the-lines' sort.

There are some bits that I personally didn't like too much, one was the in-detailed description of his bowel movement and secondary the description of him not being able to achieve sexual satisfaction, despite having paid for it and haggling for it for a long time.

Overall, the Narrative never for a second tries to be omnipresent in the story, it doesn't make any effort to bring forth the point of view of the exact words of the people with whom Yukchi interacts. It holds you, involves you and its simplicity will make you laugh. It actually brings you in Yukichi's shoes and even though at times you are laughing at him and his persistence on certain things, you will still be able to say 'well that must have been hard for him'.

Now if it would have been a Film review I would have mentioned a lot of other aspects, such as acting, cinematography, music , etc. But since this is my first book review I'm not quite sure what else to talk about. All I would say it is a simple, interesting and well written book. The paneling and art-work is quite simple and there is nothing cluttering about it, that would hinder the story. If you pick it up you are sure going to have a few laughs on Yukichi's situations, but you will also sympathize with him. It is a good enjoyable read, and easy to get over with quickly, so you wont be able to put it down till you get to the last page and get to know what happens with Yukichi Yamamatsu in the end.....Is he successful in introducing the first hindi translated Japanese Manga in India, is he able to cope up with the people of Delhi and the work culture here, and is he able to over come the most basic barrier of communication i.e. language.

Stupid Guy Goes To India

Author: Yukichi Yamamatsu

Translated by Kumar Sivasubramanian

Published by Blaft Publications

Priest: Save urself the pain of watching this one.

I dint find anything new or unsual in d movie priests. It was just d same old story of d world divided in two, one is d blind path of d church following n othr is total nihilism of d wrld of vampires.
The film doesn't have too many charcters bt still it fails at etching them out so tht audience cud attach any emotions to them.
Also as I'm now going into judging movies not only by my own parameters but also of the others who watch it with me....I would say safely say that Priest is a disappointingly dragge-me-to-hell sort of film for paying to watch it in theater.

Priest is directed by Scott Stewart and written by Cory Goodman. It is based on a Korean comic book series of d same name by Min-Woo Hyung. In d series priests come together to fight fallen angels while here it is vampires that they r fighting against. the Film was announced in 2005, but it was not until 2009 that the film went on floor. Later it's release was delayed from 2010 to 2011. Also it was converted from 2D to 3D.

3D specials effects don't really wrk for dis film, and it seems to b put in just so tht d movie finds a connect to d new age audiences who r just so smitten by the wrds 3D being attachd behind a movie.

Wht I like is d character of Priest played by Paul Bettany, and the juxtaposition in the character that is the man of God who enjoys the thrills of killing.

As for d action in d film, I just like d 1st major fighting section. The fight at d 1st reservation tht hicks n priest cme across. that is the only good fighting sequence, because not even the climax fighting was able to stand that excitement that a thriller action film should have in it throughout.

The worst acting is by Cam Gigandet, as Hicks. there is total confusion in one character, whether he is supposed to be there to provide comic relief, as a side kick to the Priest or a brooding lover searching for the girl whom he loves who has been kidnapped by Vampires (Oh well and she on the other side never even as much as mentions him or thinks of him.).
Maggie Q plays the typical character that she is known for that is of a woman fighter sidekick. Here as the Priestess she offers the same, her only impact is in the scene where she talks about her life after their authority was dissolved and talks about her dreams.

Oh yes the most irritating line in the movie 'to go against d church is to go against d God'. A line that I think is said and unsaid over and over forms the core of the movies based on church ideologies, etc. Priest creates an alternative universe that is divided between just the humans and vampires.

Overall I feel that Priest is a movie that could have been sleek and stylish but ended up being a dull and done-to-death blend of sci-fic and action and horror.
I would rate the film 1 out 5, and that too just for my liking for Paul Bettany in the film.

Atrocious!

I cant believe this…it’s ridiculous… some times certain issues are so trivialized in our daily news updates…esp d ones on net as well…that one cant help but feel frustrated at them.
Like this one…9-year old girl gives birth in China

This article that I just came across in the ‘World’ section of TOI online is nothing but frustrating to read. For any reader who would have expected a much more, deeper view point from TOI writers, the article leaves one high &dry.

The article is good in itself, well researched; but it isn’t something that I would have expected to turn out in the way it did.
The article goes on & on about the fact that how a 9 year old girl gave birth to a healthy baby in China (it even gives you full stats on the new- born); it gives you how this is first incident from China; it goes on to state facts from Wiki on case of childbirth with mothers under 9 year old, it goes on & on with facts (that’s why I said well researched). But by the time you finish reading it, you realize you gain nothing from this article, no information, nothing at all. You wonder why it is in the ‘World’ section (just because it happened in China?). Why not keep it in any other feature segment or any such other less mainstream section.

The reason I feel angry is that when I read this heading I was infact scandalized. I wished to know more details, such as incident with the girl, law & order situation of the country, rehabilitation efforts for such cases, etc. but no to expect more was in fact my mistake.

“The youngest girl to become a mother was aged five year seven months in 1939 in Peru, says Wikipedia. The second case was in 2006 when an 8-year old girl gave birth in the same country. There were five cases of childbirth of girls aged nine, nine cases of girls aged 10 and eight cases of 11-year old mothers.”

This is solely what article states, but I wish to know why such things happen at all, what the law in the respective countries is doing, what actions have been taken in case of forcefully sexual intercourse, etc. Oh but wait…I’m Wrong at expecting more.
It’s frustrating that even here my words fail to express the apt anger that I feel against such a piece of junk…on such an important topic/issue.

Oh yes… no wait I missed this, I guess, there is some additional social point of view given in this entire report…

“The Changchun-based City Evening News reported the girl’s parents have sought legal help. Under Chinese law, anyone having sex with a girl under the age of 14 is convicted of rape.”

In a 6 para article, one important para is this…wow now that’s some news…I dare say!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is the link to the article:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/9-year-old-girl-gives-birth-in-China/articleshow/5517050.cms

SUMMER INTERLUDE

FILMS ARE also well known as motion pictures that seem to be revealing a story through their constant motion. One such beautifully directed film that I have lately seen is Ingmar Bergman’s ‘Summer Interlude’. A well directed film that I would love to refer to solely as a motion picture.

Though the film is in Swedish (and I saw it with English subtitles), yet more than the words what captured me was the essence of picturesque quality that can be seen in every frame of the film. From the very first frame to the very last, what you can see is the master eye of the director in nuances of photographic techniques. Every frame portrays an emotion that connects directly to its audience, despite the language barrier.The film and its director belong to a class of ‘world cinema’. This is not the first film that I have seen of this director, I have also seen Bergman’s ‘Wild Strawberries’ before. That too was a very beautiful, emotional touching and moving film, but the experience of that movie lies on its dialogues. Though framing of shots and selection of locations is a point worth noting in that film as well, yet it relies equally on its dialogues and language so as to make its feel reach to the audience. On the other hand, I can well say what attracted me to praise ‘Summer Interlude’ was its beautiful composition style that make the emotions very clear even without any dialogues. It could have been a silent film as well. Moving beyond my ongoing praise for the compositions, there are things also that are worth praising like the story and story telling aspects of this film.

The central story of the film revolves around Marie (Nilsson) a young ballerina, who on a summer vacation meets a college-boy called Henrik (Malmsten) and falls in love. During one of the last days of the relationship, Henrik suffers head and back injuries that result in his death. Years later, Marie reflects on the mistakes she has made in life following Henrik’s death.There is something in the movie that I think almost everyone can relate to. It can either be the idea of dancing and enjoying what we do, or the haunting of the past, or the idea of first love, or how we suffer setbacks in life after we suffer some loss, or how we tend to make walls to protect ourselves from pains and sufferings after the setbacks and fail to realise what we wasted in that time.

These are the few of the central ideas that the story of this film revolves around.But the central theme remains of realisation, realisation that life is always worth living and realisation that one can only find out about ones true identity ‘only when the walls around us crumble’.The director here uses a very beautiful motif, something like a Shakespearean style of grotesque and character of a clown that merge in one here, as the Marie realises that its time for her to let go of her walls, face the truth and embrace what lies ahead. As in the climax of the film, we see that it is only after this that she again finds enjoyment and life in her dance and realises that there is someone, who again truly wishes to love her but whom she so far kept on the periphery of her world only.It’s a beautiful film with love, life, dance, passion and expressions of the actors that pierce you directly and close ups that make you feel sympathy as well as empathy for Marie.
I would say anyone wishing to experience of world cinema should get hold of this film.

AN EXPLORATION IN CINEMATIC FOYER

An exploration in world cinema has led me to experience different cinematic styles and genres. I wish to share here a few insights on the excellent movies of world cinema that I have seen so that you can grasp a beautiful side of motion pictures. Films provide me with an experience that is never short of being called an interesting journey. I love films and film industry. And lately along with commercial and indian art cinema, i have also divulged in the category of World cinema. please if possible do leave your comments on the same.

for research on Media

Hi friends,
as many of you are aware that I’m doing my MA in Journalism and Mass Communications, as a part of my final semester i have to complete a dissertation. I m doing a research on the topic "Study on Feature-based Shows on Indian News Channels". Below is a questionnaire based on my research. I will be grateful to you all if you take time to fill it up and sent it back, ASAP. Actually I m working a time crunch here and looking to all your support. (just copy it onto a word document, mark your choices and mail back)
Thanking You,
Damini Berry.


Study on Feature-based Shows on Indian News Channels.

Feature News is lifestyle and special interest news on a wide range of topics; such as from vacations to gardening and planning outings and entertainment. It is a prominent news story written like a piece of short fiction. They place a greater emphasis on facts that have human interest.

Questionnaire

1) How much time (daily) do you spend on watching television?
a. less than five hours
b. five to ten hours
c. More than 10 hours

2) Rate the following types of channels on basis of your viwership preferences.
(rate the below given options from 1 to 6; 1-being the most preferred and 6-being the least preferred)

a. General Entertainment channels
b. News channels
c. Sports channels
d. Music channels
e. Religious/Spiritual channels
f. Any Other

3) How much time, on an average, do you devote to a news channel?

a. Less than one hour
b. One to five hours
c. More than five hours

4) Rate the following content on News channels, according to your preferences.
(1-being the most preferred and 9-being the least preferred)

a. Headlines/News bulletins
b. International/National news
c. Political/Economic news
d. Sports news
e. Local news
f. Entertainment news
g. Human interest stories
h. Travel/outing/events based shows
i. Any Other.(please specify):____

5) What according to you is a ‘feature story’?

a. Detailed analysis of a news story
b. An infotainment story
c. An opinionated story
d. An entertainment story
e. All the above
f. Any Other (please specify):____


6) Which of the following non-news based shows do you prefer to watch (Multiple answers can be selected)

a. Entertainment shows
b. Shopping shows
c. Travel shows
d. Education shows
e. Development-based shows
f. Local outing and events shows
g. Others (please specify):_____


7) Do you follow any shopping or outing advices given in shows on News channels?

a. To a greater extent
b. To a moderate extent
c. To a lesser extent
d. Not at all
Please give your reasons for above selection of answer.



8) Do you feel News channels should have feature based shows?

a. To a greater extent
b. To a moderate extent
c. To a lesser extent
d. Not at all
Please give your reasons for above selection of answer.



9) Have 24x7 News channels increased the scope of feature based content on them.

a. To a greater extent
b. To a moderate extent
c. To a lesser extent
d. Not at all


10) Which News channels do you prefer to watch for non-news based or feature based content?



11) Which of the following channel do you watch?

a. Metro Nation
b. Dilli Aajtak
c. Both
d. Neither


12) Can you name any four shows on either (MetroNation or Dilli Aajtak) of the channels (in order of your preference).





13) Do you like to watch repeat telecasts of feature shows on News channels?

a. To a greater extent
b. To a moderate extent
c. To a lesser extent
d. Not at all


14) Any suggestions for the improvement of Metro Nation and Dilli Aajtak channels, in the following areas.

a. Content


b. Presentation


c. Time alloted


Please fill in the following details about yourself:
Name:
Gender:
Education:
Occupation:
Location:
Thank you so much for taking out time to fill out these questions. I am sincerely appreciative of your effort and patience. Your personal details will be kept confidential.
Sincerely yours,
Damini Berry
Email— damini_berry@rediffmail.com