“The Love Guru” is a Mike Myer’s comedy movie [remember The Austin Powers series] to be released on June 20,2008। Paramount has released the movie trailer। Trailer is very funny I do not know much about this movie and as such is very difficult to comment on it. So I will neither applaud it nor condemn it.
Whatever it is, this movie need an advanced screening in front of Hindu theologians and intellectuals who are knowledgeable about India and its culture exactly like the screening Mel Gibson's 2004 movie "The Passion of the Christ" were held for clergy and others। Dr। Deepak Chopra has come out in support of the movie saying he is worried “some Hindus don’t get the joke in the movie”। In an exclusive interview with rediff.com Dr. Chopra said: “No matter what you write or do, the fundamentalists attack it,” He added: "This is the first time anyone has held a long discussion on the $80 million film. “It doesn’t matter if you are a Hindu, a Muslim or a Christian: If you are a fundamentalist, you have a problem.”
About this movie Chopra also said: "This was a great opportunity to make our Indian philosophy even more popular because despite the popularity of the books, young kids do not know much about it and humor is a good vehicle।"
May be Dr। Chopra knows much more about this movie than others। So I have no intention of criticizing him or his intentions. My question is Is he talking as a SPIRITUALIST or is he talking like an ordinary Hindu? That is the million dollar question.
With all due respect and regards to Dr। Deepak Chopra, I have NOT seen him use words such as Hindu or Vedas or Upanishads, whenever he discuss spiritual matters on shows such as Larry King lately.
Dr. Chopra may or may not see much problem with this movie, but for ordinary Hindus, especially for our children, how Hinduism is portrayed in the public do matter. Hindu children are taunted and badgered in schools…. Hindu girls are made fun of their bindi on their forehead. I agree many times these things are done in a very subtle manner and as such children take them on their chin and do not complain.
I hope every one remembers the fight Indian parents in California has to wage to change narration about India and Hinduism in school text books। Those text books, while treating all other religions with respect have for years been describing Hindu Culture in very inaccurate and demeaning terms. We do not want to see incidents like that repeated all over again॥
Humor is indeed the best medicine and may be this movie will help the cause of Hindus as Dr. Chopra predicts. I hope and pray so. If Dr. Chopra is right, more glory to him.
Monday, April 21, 2008
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