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The Day The Sur Died
a traveller
If you haven't seen the "new" version of Mile Sur Mera Tumhara, you clearly haven't been on Twitter or Facebook all day. Both sites have been full of updates lambasting Zoom's attempt to modernise the classic we grew up watching on DD 1 on a regular basis.
I sat through it, all 16-and-a-half freaking minutes of it (which is nearly thrice as long as the original), and have the following thoughts on it:
1. In the original one, you felt you were watching Indians sing about their country. In this one, you never, for one second, are allowed to forget that these are the stars of Bollywood you're watching. I mean, did anyone look at Priyanka Chopra in that suit with the kids and think, "awww, look how sweet and loving she is"?!? And what the heck were Shahid and Deepika doing?!?
2. Some of the acts were truly cringe-worthy. I love Aamir Khan, but his whole act with the kids was totally uncool. And SRK at the end, with his trademark spreading arms out. Really? What was this, a promo for your next movie?
3. The original had mixed India's two passions, movies and cricket. This one, being made by Zoom, naturally focussed on move stars and movie stars alone (with a few musicians thrown in for fun). For some reason, however, they decided to then also throw in a few sportspersons at the end, all people who've made it to the papers in recent times. Firstly, the way it was shown seemed utterly patronizing and there-for-the-heck-of-it. Secondly, and interestingly, not one from cricket. What happened, was Lalit Modi not entertaining their calls?
4. The singing, oh, the singing. The original had Lata Mangeshkar's gorgeous voice for all the actresses. I know she's not singing anymore, but really, could they have at least tried to match the singer to the face? And didn't someone tell Shiamak Davar years ago that he should never, ever sing in public again?
5. The original had managed to show glimpses of India, the country. This simply couldn't. This was nothing but a bunch of actors being taken to a bunch of scenic spots, and asked to smile at the camera.
See the new version, and tell me you didn't feel like a little piece of your childhood died.
Here is the old version for comparison.
The Day The Sur Died
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sufferingsocrates
URL
January 27, 2010
03:38 AM
couldn't agree more :)
shaki
January 27, 2010
04:30 AM
Completely agree.. I miss the old Mile Sur Mera Tumhara.
Sumanth
January 28, 2010
09:32 PM
Video no longer available in youtube for copyright claim....
So, this video is from Zoom and for its fucking audience only.
If its for the nation, then what stopped them from making it "freely distributable"?
Fucking Business houses....
They try to prostitute everything.
People will pay a huge price if they do not bring controls against the Business establishments controlling their lives....
Maryann Taylor
January 28, 2010
10:06 PM
The new version is shameful, it completely lacks the sentiment and looks like one long Hindi movie trailer. Seems like everyone out did it for self publicity. And seriously what did Deepika Padukone and Shahid Kapoor think they were doing? To add to the disgrace all the spots people were given the last bit, blink an eyelid and they're gone! The so called remake is painfully long and has no feel of patriotism, just one never ending promotion campaign. Doordarshan in the 1980's did a fantastic job, some things I believe are best left untampered; and the saying old is gold has never made more sense!
Maryann Taylor
January 28, 2010
10:12 PM
Oops I meant sports people!
blokes
January 29, 2010
03:01 AM
finally googled it and found the "new version"- so true- misses the charm that the previous one had- of course, the deaf mute track was one clip that was heart-tugging- bringing "sur" to the deaf. I liked the short clip of the women in Rajasthan setting up solar panels- women's empowerment, sustainable energy message in one clip. I wish they had added the high tech industry, sarva sikha abhiyan, rural micro credit etc. it would have made it a greater Indian mandate, while at it, could have shown the indian railways- it has come a long way in cleaner stations, cleaner toilets since 1988.
blokes
January 29, 2010
03:01 AM
finally googled it and found the "new version"- so true- misses the charm that the previous one had- of course, the deaf mute track was one clip that was heart-tugging. I liked the short clip of the women in Rajasthan setting up solar panels- women's empowerment, sustainable energy message in one clip. I wish they had added the high tech industry, sarva sikha abhiyan, rural micro credit etc. it would have made it a greater Indian mandate, while at it, could have shown the indian railways- it has come a long way in cleaner stations, cleaner toilets since 1988.
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