Media matters

I am not a movie buff - by any means. There are times when I like to curl up with a book in my hand and pore through it rather than watch a movie outside. Still, I do like watching movies occasionally. I watched Sarkar Raj on Friday night. I enjoyed the movie. I felt that it was well thought out, well laid out, and well performed. Everyone associated with the movie seems to have put in sincere effort that overall has worked. The script was powerful and except for the shooting scene (not mentioning which one, to avoid being a spoiler), it was reasonably smooth(and when I say that, it means I like it quite a bit!) In any case, I found myself thinking about this movie even after we got home. So I spent some time reading up what other people were thinking about it. I found myself observing some interesting 'typical' behaviors that the 'media face' is displaying.

Just in general, media in India is evolving and catching up with it's developmentally advanced relative in the US. And yet, it seems doomed to make the exact same mistakes that media here has already committed. Personally I see the overhype around things as detestable layers of grease around an otherwise delectable bite of food.

1. Reviews/critiques are useful feedback mechanisms for real areas of improvement for those passionate about creating good cinema/literature or anything of entertainment value. Unfortunately, these cannot entirely be isolated from one person's interpretation or opinion of the movie etc. Still, it is the topmost responsibility of a film's critic to be specific, clear and concise about the flaws that they perceive rather than slobbering their verdict with 'media grease' to increase their own masala value.

2. Reviews are also useful to many people who are on the fence on whether they want to watch a movie or not. Once the movie has been watched and enjoyed, if one hasnt noticed some major flaws (like say, too many close ups in Sarkar Raj), what does one care whether critic XYZ felt that way or not. Perhaps critics should have different sections in their critiques - one detailing the concept, script, theme and feel of the movie, and another detailing the technical aspect. That would also necessitate critics to make detailed and researched statements rather than kicking up dust because they feel like it.

3. It has really started to feel like the media is tripping over its feet in slathering the actual pivotal components of a movie and its art value with all the other spices. For instance, there is way too much discussion about the three Bachchans appearing together in the movie. What's with every interviewer asking each of them whether they enjoyed working with each other? Do they hope that at least one of them will lapse at least once and say, "It is bad enough meeting the other two at home, and I hated having to be with them on the sets". Come on. Agreed, they are a talented and interesting family. We feel like knowing more about them perhaps, but what's the obsession over the threesome above the movie itself? Surely they would have enjoyed working on it, but it's not a home video, and they are professionals... they would give it the same effort they would their other projects.

4. I was reading entries in the past few days on the Big B's blog (http://bigb.bigadda.com) and it felt like he is taking so much effort to truthfully reach out to the real audience of his work without having to maneuvre countless media aspects and their (mis)interpretations. It is almost like he doesnt mind communicating as long as he can get his entire message through before someone in the media interupts with, "So, when you say ABC, you actually mean PQR, dont you?" Who really needs an interpreter to tell them what he means? Let there be clear communication, and let people choose whether to idolise, or take his views with a pinch on salt. For my part, I found reading his blog refreshing. He comes across as earnest and straight. He has great command over language(s), and he shares his thoughts on his day to day living experiences conversationally, the way they should be shared. Add to that the fact that he can express himself without being 'framed' (pun intended) and constrained by an interviewer with some agenda or the other.

So anyway, it would be nice if there was a better balance between what people are expecting to learn from the media and the not-so-little extra bit that the media routinely dishes out.