Its an irony that we need to talk, think about national integration when we are celebrating 60 years of our republic. Yes, its definitely needed in these times of Raj Thackeray, Telangana and more new State movements. So, What's better than the song 'Mile Sur Mera Tumhara'. I still remember the way i used to sing the complete song everytime its aired on Doordarshan even though i understand only 1 sentence at that time (of my mother tongue 'telugu'). Now to commemorate our 60th republic day the new re-mixed version of this song was released by Bollywood. Yeah i would say its released by Bollywood because of the screen time and presence given to people like Karan Johar, Shahid Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor, Khans and Bacchans. And i defend myself calling it re-mixed because of the way they changed tunes to match Aamir Khan's 'Kya Bolti Tu' song and with typical cliches like Shirtless Salman and Deepika's legs. Thank God Twinkle was not unzipping Akshay's pants in this video and there's no Uday Chopra also. And all our sport achievers are just wrapped up in a jiffy in the end. By the way how can they forget 'Sachin', perhaps one of the very few current icons with whom most of India can relate to. And i think people like Ratan Tata, Metro Man Sreedharan, Abdul Kalam are more deserving to be present. And may be a few honest politicians like Jaya Prakash Narayana of Loksatta.
I couldnt stop but to make the below observations comparing this new version with the older one:
1. The new version clearly shows the increase in might or clout of Mr.Amitabh Bacchan. In the old version he was just clubbed with 2 other Bollywood heroes Jitendra & Mithun in just one shot. Now its starts with him and also features his son and daughter-in-law.
2. Are the creators of the new version correct in using overdose of Bollywood as the newer generations are becoming more ignorant of other arts, dance and literature forms. Yeah, what actually these days an average family does at home in the evenings other than watching TV. I guess the creators missed one serious type of achievers in this video - they should have shown few more 'Reality TV' achievers in addition to Shilpa Shetty.
3. Another coincidence is the announcement of lot of Padma Awards to film personalities. Saif just grabbed a Padma award and i read an article by Suhel Seth criticizing this decision. He says what Saif has done to deserve this award - popularize the use of bandana, swap girl friends or just has royal blood and is so and so's Son.
4. Pepsi's 'Jaanta Hai Mere Baap Kaun Hai' Ad truly summarizes the situation in any field in India. Just check out the so-called achievers in this ad who are nobody's without their fathers.
5. So what exactly unites the current India (other than final rounds of Beauty Pageants and some sporting events)?? Do we have a national politician with whom the whole of India can relate to and look upto. Is he going to be Rahul, yeah i mean Rajiv Gandhi's Son.. Phew..!
