RubySoho
Winston
Hindus versus Mike Myers
June 20th 2008 02:24
Ah, nothing like a little controversy to boost the box office, huh Mike?
It appears that some Hindus are joining the long list of religious groups that get offended by almost everything. Apparently the new Mike Meyers film is a deep affront to the Hindu religion and must be boycotted at all costs.
From bbc.co.uk:
Hindus upset over Hollywood film
“Hindus in the US have started a protest against a Hollywood comedy, saying the film will hurt the religious sentiments of millions of Hindus worldwide.
More than 5,000 people have signed an online petition protesting against the film Love Guru, starring actor Mike Myers and due to be released on Friday.
Some Hindu groups are considering a boycott of Paramount Pictures which produced the film.
Paramount says the film does not make reference to any particular religion.
The company says Love Guru portrays a purely fictional faith.
In the film, Myers plays the main character, Guru Pitka - who is raised by gurus in an ashram in India and then moves to the US to seek fame as a self-help coach resolving the marital problems of a Canadian hockey player.
The film includes a character played by the British Iranian comedian Omid Djalili called Guru Satchabigknoba and a hockey player called Coach Cherkov.”
Of course the groups who are complaining about the film have not actually seen it. Oh no, they are basing their criticism on the two and a half minute trailer alone. Paramount Pictures insists the film is a slapstick and a farce and not intended to lampoon any religion. Mike Meyers stresses that the religion in the film bears more resemblance to the ‘Force’ in Star Wars than any real religion. Even spiritual teacher Deepak Chopra is weighing in on the debate saying "The premature outcry against the movie is itself religious propaganda,"
But Bhavna Sinde of the Satana Society is having none of it. “We all know when you show a person with a sari and a mark on their forehead that will be associated with Hinduism. Which other religion are they talking about?"
And her coup de grace "They should draw a line when it comes to people's faith".
But why? Why should we draw a line when it comes to faith? So it’s okay to parody politicians, political parties, vegetarians, sport stars, animal activists, celebrities and so on and so forth. But somehow, for some reason, when it comes to the issue of religion, we must all fall silent and bow down to the sacred cow (so to speak).
It is a constant source of amazement and ire to me that even in our supposedly secular society, we continue to afford exemptions to religious belief, even if that belief goes against our basic principles of equal rights and tolerance. We say we don’t accept homophobic behaviour but when prominent religious leaders such as John Hagee and the late Gerry Falwell call disasters such as Hurricane Katrina and 9/11 God’s vengeance against a country that accepts homosexual behaviour, their words are tolerated and their position as spiritual leaders continues to be assured. If I, an atheist, were to say such things I would quite rightly be labeled a hateful bigot, but when these words have the magic word “religion” attached, then it’s all, hush, hush, don’t react, it’s their religion and we have to respect it. And don’t tell me that these men were and are on the fringes of religious society. They both enjoy(ed) the following of millions of devotees and their political endorsement has been highly sought after by various politicians. Sure John McCain has distanced himself from Hagee in recent weeks, but it was not, I repeat not Hagee’s statement on Katrina and homosexuality in New Orleans that led to McCain to make this decision. Rather it was his outlandish claim that Hitler was a ‘hunter sent by God to drive the Jews back to Israel.
But drawing the line at people’s faith? I just don’t subscribe to this point of view. Freedom of expression is not freedom of expression if it comes with a “but religion is exempt from criticism and ridicule” clause. The Hindus at the centre of the complaints claim that their gripe is the fact that the film is not an accurate representation Hinduism, but that’s hardly the point. Does anyone think that The Life Of Brian is an accurate representation of Judaism? I think that what films such as these have in common is that they parody the concept of religious belief itself (and all the contradictions, peculiarities and superstitions that go along with it), as opposed to any one religion in particular. Truth is, as disparate as the world’s religions are, there are common features amongst all of them. And whilst it is the right of anyone and everyone to adopt whatever religious belief they choose, it is likewise the right of anyone and everyone to question, and yes, make fun of, the said religious belief. That is the very foundation of a free and progressive society.
And why can’t we just get a sense of humour and learn to laugh at ourselves a little more? It's a Mike Meyers film for crying out loud. Speak of the devil (so to speak), Paramount and Mike Meyers will be the big winners in all this if the drama continues I’m sure, a little controversy never hurt anyone, especially not at the box office…
-Ruby
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Comment by Jeff Musall
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
although maybe its different because the actor who played the guru in that film was Jimi Mistry is an actor who is really of indian descent?
if thats the qualifying factor then the petition signers may be interested to know that the Mike Myers 2008 film "The Love Guru" stars Ben Kingsley as one of the gurus and he is of indian decent also
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
So tiresome.
Take a joke people. Take an effing joke.
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
i can just think of so many examples where americas have a stereotypical indian character in their TV sit-coms, cartoons, or slapstick films . . . plenty of american fictional character wear saris and bindis . . . if anything i would say it is more racial, americans probably dont even realise hindu is a religion! lol
maybe we could ban bindi irwin!
Comment by Winston
Small Thoughts on Big Questions
I couldn't agree more. Nothing should be off the table in terms of discussion and debate. Obviously not everyone agrees.
At any rate, if anyone should be offended by this movie, it's not the Hindus but the movie-going public in general. Myers just isn't funny anymore!