Amitabh blasts 'Slumdog Millionaire' on blog

Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan has slammed Danny Boyle's Golden Globe award winning underdog drama 'Slumdog Millionaire' for showing India in poor light.

'If 'Slumdog Millionaire' projects India as Third World dirty underbelly developing nation and causes pain and disgust among nationalists and patriots, let it be known that a murky underbelly exists and thrives even in the most developed nations,' Amitabh said in a posting on his blog www.bigb.bigadda.com Wednesday from Paris, France.

'Its just that the 'Slumdog Millioanire' idea authored by an Indian and conceived and cinematically put together by a westerner, gets creative global recognition,' he added.

The 66-year-old also talked about the changing trend in recognition of Indian cinema.

'The commercial escapist world of Indian cinema had vociferously battled for years, on the attention paid and the adulation given to the legendary Satyajit Ray... and not a word of appreciation for the entertaining mass-oriented box office blockbusters that were being churned out from Mumbai.

'Ray portrayed reality. While, the other - escapism, fantasy and incredulous posturing. Unimpressive for Cannes and Berlin and Venice (film festivals),' he explained.

He further wrote: 'But look how rapidly all that is changing. Dedicated TV channels running Hindi cinema on prime timings. Premieres at Leicester Square (referring to 'Chandni Chowk To China'), the home of all Hollywood royalty, thronged by hundreds on the street in cold biting weather.'

Indo Asian News Service.

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Govinda not amused by constant comparison with Amitabh

Actor Govinda is on the edge of his patience these days, perturbed by constant comparisons with Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan.

"I'm Amit-ji's biggest fan. And that's why these comparisons are becoming a bit too much for me to digest," Govinda told IANS.

Though he's not willing to talk about it openly, Govinda is also not amused by the constant reference to him in the context of the "Govinda Govinda" chant in Ram Gopal Varma's "Sarkar" and its sequel "Sarkar Raj".

At a recent awards function Govinda's picture was flashed on stage while the "Sarkar Raj" theme raged on.

"I won't say anything more," says Govinda diplomatically. "But I'll say this. God bless all those who are using my name for their own reasons. I'll also say this. Don't try the patience of a patient man."

"My will power is about to give way. Now I've reached a stage where I'll react even if one hair on my head is tampered with."

The final straw was a reality show where choreographer Saroj Khan praised Govinda to the skies... but relatively speaking.

Sighs Govinda: "I'm very grateful to Saroj-ji for all the wonderful things she has said about me. I respect her a lot. My daughter Narmada has been training in dance with Saroj-ji."

"In fact she'll be directing a film for me soon. I know she meant well. But why am I being constantly compared with Amit-ji? 'Main to naukar hoon' (I am just a servant). He's the true king of the entertainment industry. I played the 'naam ka' (namesake) Raja Babu. He's the true Raja Babu."

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