Why DDLJ is a horrible, HORRIBLE movie

There are 2 versions of Shah Rukh Khan. One version is the extremely talented actor who has an amazing depth and maturity with which he plays roles like the ones he played in Chak De India, Dil Se, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naan, Darr, Baazigar, etc. The other version is the definition of ACTING THE GOAT* where is turns into this annoying, goat-sound making, overacting, creepy dude who makes you want to chew your arm off whenever he comes on screen.

Shah Rukh Khan showed his acting prowess in Doordarshan TV serials of the late 1980s and quickly rose to fame with his first movie Deewana (1991) and for the next four years, continued to shine by doing various roles that other actors were afraid of doing. However, two catastrophes occurred in 1995 - the movies Guddu and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) which disturbingly turned a talented actor into a goat. Shah Rukh Khan has appeared in even more annoying roles like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Ram Jaane but I would not rate those movies as low as I would rate DDLJ.

DDLJ not only had the creepy version of SRK, but also a misogynist view of Indian Culture which promotes submissiveness of women, authoritarianism of parents and hating the country that you reside and earn your livelihood in. Worst of all, it showed that one way to make a woman fall in love with you is by harassing, following and being an absolute jerk with her. If you manage to be as creepy and forceful on a woman, she will run towards you with her arms open in a sarson ka khet in Punjab.

First, let me talk about its misogyny. Although the movie did not express it directly, it clearly promoted the fact that women should stay within their limits, ask permission from their father (not their soft, submissive mother), pray all the time to show their 'culture' and not express their urges because a Bhartiya Naari is not supposed to have any. If you have seen the movie, you will know which scenes I am talking about.

Now the authoritarianism of parents. The movie promoted the fact that your happiness comes strictly after your bull-headed dad's happiness and sacrificing it is a part of Indian Culture. What the hell?

Also, hating the country and the culture you so happily live in (UK) to earn your livelihood and missing India. Worst of all, not even missing India but missing just the North Indian state of Punjab as that was somehow the only awesome place in India for movies in the 1990s.

The movie had all the cheesyness and corniness of a typical Yash Chopra/Karan Johar type of a movie and it made my hair stand on end when I watched it in a movie theater. I was only 13 when I first saw it and at that impressionable age, I figured that if being a creepy, corny dude was the only way to impress women, then I would be happy being single all my life.

I know the movie was a humongous success and that is what disturbs me. 20 years hence, people still talk about how good it was which shows that we have not yet come out of our narrow-minded mindset and like fake, cheesy stuff. Let us broaden our view of Indian Culture and not restrict it to the boundaries set by shitty movies like DDLJ and let us demand more intellectually stimulating movies rather than simplistic stories with overly sweetened dialogues.

* - See Destination Moon, Tintin Comics

Feudalism is not just the fault of the feudal Lords

I am sitting in a coffee shop which I entered with the intention to do some grading. There is a table of Boomers next to me who are talking about some local elections. I am not eavesdropping but they are really loud and the way they are talking about politics and power games rather than policy, has driven me to write this blog post.

Theoretically, in a democracy, the power to vote is the highest power. The elected officials are public servants. However, most voters think of elected officials as powerful overlords fighting for power with each other. The voters are just gossipy spectators in the power game and like to align with someone who exerts more power, is relatively good looking, and exudes charm. They hardly discuss policy proposals of each candidate that will affect the voters' live the most. This gives the elected "leaders" the freedom to wield power for their ego, shower in fame for their narcissism, and worst of all, make a lot of money by aligning with corrupt interests.

Call it plutocracy, oligarchy, or feudalism - the main problem is not elected officials. The main problem is the voters who volunteer to be oppressed. This shows that humans have not progressed much since perhaps 1000 AD or even before in their mindset.

I am also writing this in light of yesterday's devastating Primaries where someone with serious issues in his political record as well as a melting brain dominated over someone who only talks policies and has a record of being right multiple times in hindsight. I can *sigh* and say that people get what they deserve. However, progressives like me are also "people" and we deserve better!