Why didn't Bollywood directors think of 'Slumdog..'? They don't read.

Comments [ 26 ] By India-Forums.com Staff | 18 January 2009 | 4:50pm

Ever since 'Slumdog Millionaire' shone at the Golden Globes award, everyone is asking why no Bollywood director thought of it.

While Sriram Raghavan of 'Johnny Gaddar' fame missed the chance because Vikas Swaroop had given the movie rights of his book 'Q & A' to eventual producers Film Four, directors Anurag Basu and Imtiaz Ali say other Indian filmmakers didn't think about it because they are not in the habit of reading.

Slumdog Crorepati Sriram Raghavan: I loved the book 'Q & A' by Vikas Swaroop. I wanted to make a film on it. I even met the author, but the film rights were already with Film Four. He mentioned that a couple of other Bollywood directors had also approached him. It's a terrific book and I'm happy that the film is so successful.

Govind Nihalani: I very much wanted to adapt Vikas Swaroop's 'Q & A' into a film. I met the author and he told me the film rights had already been sold to Film Four even before the book was published. The matter ended there.

Santosh Sivan: I haven't seen the film. But from what I've read about it, 'Slumdog Millionaire' is quite a different sensibility and perspective of portraying the extremes.

Dibakar Banerjee: I haven't read Vikas Swaroop's novel, but if I had read it and liked it, of course I'd have made it. At the moment I'm negotiating the rights for three novels, old and new. Incidentally Sriram Raghavan was talking to the author of 'Slumdog Millionaire' for the longest time for the rights. Ask him if you don't believe me.

Anurag Basu: Given a choice most Indian directors would watch and copy from a DVD and remake a film rather than read a book and be able to see a film in the written word. I think my namesake Anurag (Kashyap) would be a good alternative to make 'Slumdog Millionaire'.

R. Balakrishnan: Why didn't any of us in Bollywood think of making it? We read less. If the book was a DVD we'd have made 'Slumdog Millionaire'.

Imtiaz Ali: Not many of our filmmakers have read Vikas Swaroop's 'Q & A'. A good alternative choice to make the film would be Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra.

Rohan Sippy: But it's not true that filmmakers in Mumbai were not interested in the novel. Sriram Raghavan was interested, but the rights were already taken. Sriram would've made a fabulous film out of it.

Rahul Dholakia: The reason why none of us thought of making it here is because we don't want to use our imagination. Most of us want to play safe. The only filmmakers here who could've done justice to 'Slumdog Millionaire' would be Mira Nair and Saeed Mirza.

Shekhar Kapur: I think Danny Boyle is a good choice. I consider 'Slumdog Millionaire' India's most successful film. For me, 'Slumdog Millionaire' is an Indian film. It will get the Oscars and do a business of $200 million.

Copyright IANS

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Date: 1/31/2009 5:12:08 PMjonnybgood
Why its because Indian director are to busy copying Hollywood Films. Slumdog Millionaire was a brilliant Film the director and the Actors did a great job.
Date: 1/20/2009 11:26:46 PMGene_Nisha
for Bollywood Directors Film means how much Adults scenes are showed,how much Heroines are been exposed wid dere sexy personality,how many heroes are building a great personality.dats it.dey don''t want to make an actual film lke dis which makes a lot of sense.dats why other countries are getting dat much success
Date: 1/20/2009 4:06:04 AMShowbizz
for most bollywood directors , bollywood is nothing but a glamour world and they cannot think beyond a love story
Date: 1/19/2009 9:58:12 PMLadoo645
i think that it condsidered a big risk i bollywood, don''t get me wrong of bad directors, we have loads of talented directors, but usually when this kind of flims in bollywood, the office usually don''t praise it''s worth, as it is critcize with a higher level, and also usually the audience in the hindi cinemia tend to watch the regular big stars actor/actress, vs new comers.
Date: 1/19/2009 1:44:50 PMFairyLights_3
a true masterpiece, this movie was.
Date: 1/19/2009 8:59:18 AMInspector Sahib
@fly2me: I couldn''t agree more :D
Date: 1/19/2009 8:36:31 AMmiss5stars
well..
i honestly don''t think bollywood could come up with such a film! - && if it was a bollywood film..the story wud seem diff..kant think of ne1 besides dev patel being jamal ! - he acted rele gud..n i dnt think sharukh,shahid,salman,ranbir,etc. cud ever act lyk tht! :s
Date: 1/19/2009 8:18:40 AMfly2me
Given a choice most Indian directors would watch and copy from a DVD and remake a film rather than read a book and be able to see a film in the written word.
haha i kinda think this is true!
;)
Date: 1/19/2009 1:54:20 AMgawker
because dany boyle is not indian.

what kind of a question is this? why should we try to make movies exactly like the white man? making a movie is a creative statement, each one will express it in his own unique way. i think we should learn to respect our own culture, our won achievements, and try less to suck up to the whites all the time.
Date: 1/19/2009 1:24:57 AMbmtdloverr2050
...
Well their are a bunch of hindi movies that were copied off of hollywood movies but dude its entertainment! just like rimzZ said just take it in..nobodys trying to force u to watch the movie...if u guys like hollywood movies then just go watch those movies why even bother watching hindi movies then...!