Reel life Bombay. Part 3

Today's guest writer is my friend, Macushla. Living most of her life in Bombay, Macushla is one part O-Ren Ishii, one part Ellie Arroway, and one big swig of Maggie Fitzergald. A writer by profession and a non-conformist by choice, she is currently sharpening her Hattori Hanzo ahead of (hopefully) joining the blogosphere.

Here's her take on Bombay in Chandan Arora's "Main Madhuri Dixit banna chahti hoon".


Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon (2003) is a lesson we must learn that what you see is not what you always get. Behind the gloss and glamour of a booming film industry and the city that feeds it, a whole generation of lives watches their hopes and dreams peeling off like make-up on a weathered face. The pancake hides the scars. The tears expose them.

Watching this film, I was amazed by its simplicity and cinematography and repelled by its overwhelming honesty. It exalted my city with breathtaking pride and crushed it before I even had a chance to get my breath back. My city was portrayed as creator and destroyer even before I was halfway through my popcorn. But then that is Bombay, isn’t it? Dark. Demanding. Diabolic. My city is a parasite that feeds off the hopes of its people.

The truth isn’t easy, and I have no alternative but to face it.

In the film, Chutki, an aspiring actress, danced her way to music and misconceptions. The world was her stage and Bombay was her launch pad. The city would welcome her into its bosom and nurture her ambitions with TLC. One hour and many struggles later, Chutki had to resign herself to the fact that she was, and would remain, a “Biggie of B-Grade”.

Chutki may have never played to packed houses, but she drove a point home. That, this is Bombay city, where the fear of failure is stronger than the fear of death. Or life. Or HIV. Or corruption. Or anything else. That the city seduces, uses and abuses, and you wouldn’t even know the difference. That we are so aware, and yet, so tolerant of its unforgiving nature? Then why do we continue with this?

Maybe it’s because somewhere deep inside all of us, there’s a Chutki still waiting to dance her big dance.


Recap - This is an ongoing series on Bombay on movies mixed with the writer's take on life in the city.
[Part 1 - Filmiholic on Salaam Bombay]
[Part 2 - My take on Satya]