"Politically correct" Bollywood desperately needs lessons from Hollywood and Oscars

If you thought that the Oscars were about red carpet arrivals and designer wear, this year would have proved to be a disappointment. Gone are the days when the greatest buzz at the Oscars was generated by the "It" or the golden couple of the moment or the bespoke (and borrowed) Harry Winston jewellery that the leading ladies wore on the big night.

Of course, there was a red carpet primer, but when fashion forward Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon steps out in a straight fitting black-and-white Tom Ford gown, you know people are a bit over the whole fashion statement aspect of the night. She said as much as she spoke of the hashtag "ask her more" — because women are more than a dress and the whole conversation that begins and ends with asking actresses: “Who are you wearing?” has timed out.

Advocacy

But this was just the beginning of a night that was going to be more about politics than anything else that is associated with the Oscars. To say it was anticipated, is not an idle boast. The all-white nominee list had already caused serious heartburn and comment, inspiring the host of the evening, Neil Patrick Harris, to welcome the attendees with: “Tonight we honour Hollywood’s best and whitest” before correcting himself and ending with “brightest”. From the red carpet to the opening joke, the theme for the night had been set. This was going to get political.

Unlike Bollywood, which is politically correct and maintains a studied distance from political activism, Hollywood does not shy away from voicing its opinions. As far back as 1973, Marlon Brando made a statement about the treatment of American Indians in films by not appearing in person to accept his best actor award for The Godfather.

Instead Sacheen Littlefeather, a Native American Indian, represented him and refused the Oscar on his request. In an interview afterwards, Brando said that it was important to use this “sacrosanct moment” to draw attention to a wrong that was being perpetuated over and over again, leading Native Americans to grow up with negative images of themselves, owing to their portrayal in Hollywood films. That night Sacheen Littlefeather drew applause as she made her short and polite speech but also boos, which Brando accepted were meant for him and not her. The interesting thing about Hollywood’s engagement with politics is that it is devoid of the sanctimonious spiel that characterises our own conversation with the political class.

Petition

The general consensus amongst film people in Mumbai is that politics is something to stay away from, to be wary of; those who are involved eventually get known more for their political opinions than creative work, not to mention the unnecessary contentiousness of taking a position when it doesn’t directly impact you. On a personal level, I am often received with some surprise for writing on politics or other "controversial" issues; many presuming that I am a journalist who ventured into films, when it is quite the reverse! Engagement as Susan Sontag put it pithily is essential, even or rather especially for an artist. “Pay attention to the world,” she advised. On the night of the 87th Oscar ceremony, we found out how much attention artists who have access to the biggest audience in the world are paying.

Oscar night got prickly with winners using their moment in the spotlight to highlight issues that ranged from women’s rights, the treatment of immigrants, racial tension and suicide prevention, to government surveillance. Speakers made rousing speeches that were not laundry lists of gratitude as is expected, but were appeals and barbs drawn from authentic experience, be it as a woman, a black man or a director who happens to be Mexican. Their comments were welcomed with applause and in one instance an awkward silence, when John Legend spoke of the incarceration of African-American men. The silence, though brief, was eloquent, only because a few moments ago the same crowd had risen to their feet to give him a standing ovation for his rendering of "Glory" from the film Selma. It is discernible that Hollywood as a whole is still uncomfortable with direct speak, but what is also evident is that those who are an integral and visible part of it, are not.

Resolve

In our own industry, there have been famous moves to politics — the most notable being that of Amitabh Bachchan, who since has sworn off political participation and instead developed high-profile personal friendships. A recent biography of Rajesh Khanna by Yaseer Usman speaks of the superstar’s disenchantment with political life when he found the entrenched political set shutting him out and subjecting him to yet another rejection. But these may still be thought of as personal moves, motivated by the need for power or public office; decisions taken during a lean phase in one’s career. But where are the Brandos who despite or because of being in demand, stand up for the things they believe in, with scant regard for how it will impact them professionally. Are our sanctimonious public pronouncements only reserved for stand up acts of dubious taste? Are there no other compelling issues that need a voice and amplification?

It might be too ambitious — and even fanciful — to expect Bollywood stars to step up and engage with politics beyond the personal ambition of political office, but one can’t help but wonder if they would do so in the instance of a direct battle that impacts the industry. For example, will we see an actor — in whose favour the scales of power tilt — support the implementation of the copyright amendment act that hopes to correct inequality?