Phir Mile Sur Mera Tumhara - A Complete Failure!

noreply@blogger.com (Ashish Annachhatre) — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 08:51:00 -0800

Hello all once again,

I am writing once again after long time.... cause its Sunday and there is really something happening around which I can not take anymore. I really can’t tolerate the thing which hurts my patriotism. This time our media is playing with the patriotic sentiments of not only me but 1.2 billion Indians and don’t know how many more NRIs.

Coming straight to the point - I am talking about the latest *so called patriotic* OR *national integrity* video ‘Phir Mile Sur Mera Tumhara...’... so called remake (or modern version) of classic ‘Mile Sur Mera Tumhara’. But it’s nowhere near the classic, oldies ‘Mile Sur Mera Tumhara...’

It is just the failed attempt to re-create the national integrity through the song... or I would rather say it’s not an attempt at all to unite Indians or showcasing national integrity of India from any angle. After seeing that video, I thought for a while to find out what is missing in this video, why it’s not touching our hearts? Why, even after spending crores of rupees on creating 9-minites of video (older/original version was just 6-minutes), it failed to create the spark?... then I thought, what else could we expect from the makers of this new video? Times of India (famous for its Page 3 image) and Zoom TV (all about fashion and lifestyle) are the makers of this video and what else could we expect from them?

Is this new video about ‘National Integrity’ or ‘Bollywood Integrity’ ?

My first question to the producers of this new video is – ‘Is Bollywood the part of India OR is India the part of Bollywood ?’

My next question to the producers of this video is – ‘Are our scientists like Abdul Kalam, our scholars like Amratyasen, our Hockey team (who won the gold medals for our country), our Businessmen who created Empires not only in India but even outside India like Tata, Narayna Murthey, Vijay Mallya etc.., Our best cricketers who are known internationally like Sachin Tendulkar, Dhoni are not the part of National Integrity ? Or is Bollywood everything to India ?

My third question to the producers of this video is – ‘Where is a common man? Or do you think common man does not love his country? He does not have any patriotism? Or does he not play any role in the National Integrity? Or do you think all the patriotism is only with bollywood stars? The famous King Khan – Shaharuk Khan who expressed his disappointment on non-selection of Pakistani Players in IPL Matches, gets the footage in India’s patriotic song but, our Indian army who fought at Tigre hills and uncountable fronts are totally forgotten from this song. Why? Where are our farmers? Common man is completely ignored from the so called national integrity song of India.’

Dear producers, I wish you had seen the old classical ‘Mile sur mera tumhara...’ at least, at least once before creating this new version.

My fourth question to the producers is – ‘Why Dipika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor, Abhishek Bachhan, Priyanka Chopra have got their seats in this video? I myself is a great fan of these actors and no doubt they are dam good on screen. But it doesn’t mean that I should tolerate them in India’s patriotic song. What have they done so special which makes India proud on the global map? I can understand the inclusion of Amitabh Bachhan (star of the millennium), Aishwarya Ray (miss world), A. R. Rahman (Oscar winner).. yes they definitely made India proud and their seat in this song is well deserved. But what is Dipika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor, Abhishek Bachhan, Priyanka Chopra doing there?’

Ok producers, you have made one mistake of taking Dipika Padukone in this video... fine. But why second mistake of making her stand in rain, bending her one leg and showing her legs in the middle of a lake? I mean I can not just digest this. It’s highly impossible of these producers. Are you making a Kingfisher Calendar or a Patriotic Song? You please decide it first. Looking at Dipika Padukone’s pose in this song, made me felt for a moment that I am seeing a Kingfisher Calendar. Guys, is this the national Integrity? ‘

What is Ranbir Kapoor doing there? After giving 1 hit and dozens of flops, doing nothing for India, gets a footage in India’s national integrity song? I simply don’t get it.

Same with Abhishek Bachhan? What’s his role in making India a Global Nation? Just because he is the son of the ‘Star of the Millenium’ or just because he is the dear husband of ‘Miss World’? What’s his own contribution in taking India to the Global level ?

Where are Indian Scholars like Amratyasen?
Where are Indian Scientists like Abdul Kalam?
Where is our Hockey team who won several international medals?
Where are our greatest Business Tycoons?

Its full of bollywood, tollywood, kollywood... and all other woods.

What kind of India Image are we creating in front of our next generation? Is India all about this glamorous bollywood? What are we teaching our next batch about Indian Unity and Integrity from this song?

Producers of this new video have completely failed to recreate that classic touch of old and original ‘Mile sur mera tumhara...’.

I mean it’s ok if you fail to re-create that charm. Its fine. But at least don’t create a false image of India. Don’t mislead the youth of this nation. India is not all about bollywood, tollywood heroes. Look beyond it and there is much more there that is truely creating India stand together.

India is full of bollywood, sports, business, economy, tradition, culture, nature, education, talent, art, heritage etc.. There are so many things in India which is making India still stand shining. And all these parameters *TOGETHER* are making India a happening nation globally. NOT JUST BOLLYWOOD. So, for god sake, please don’t create the false image or mislead image of India.

There are definitely some plus things in this video like – Fantastic opening of this video with the music of A. R. Rahman, followed immediately by the grand entry and voice of Amitabh Bachhan and that too in the background of Hotel Taj (now even more famous from 26/11 event) and Zakir’s Tabla... But I think, that’s it! It’s no doubt the most glamorous video ever attempted for Indian Integrity (so called)... But completely failed to create the charm or patriotism in my mind which original song created 20-years back.