This story is from December 19, 2011

Why did Tom Cruise use stock shots of Mumbai?

Chandan Roy Sanyal says he is hurt by the depiction of the city in “MI:4” and Anil Kapoor being reduced to nothing in the movie
Why did Tom Cruise use stock shots of Mumbai?
The depiction of India in Hollywood movies has not always gone down well with many cine-buffs in this country.
The cliches might work for the phirang audience but for those in India, they can often become too repetitive for comfort. While so much was written about "MI:4"'s India connect what with Anil Kapoor getting Tom Cruise to visit the Taj and then get pampered in Mumbai, the movie's depiction of Mumbai has not gone down well with "Kaminey" actor Chandan Roy Sanyal.
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Says Chandan, "The disappointing thing is that Hollywood has a certain way of looking at films made in Mumbai. We, as a third world nation, suffer from cinema colonization. We make good films from time immemorial! We have a legacy and it's just not about a tacky depiction of B-grade film songs. Songs and drama are an essential spice in our film diet. Songs are a surreal dream. They are a musical depiction of a common man's desires." As for "MI:4", Chandan says the "first half was an electronic circuit ride". But the portions depicting Mumbai were a complete let down for him. "If anyone meets Cruise, ask him why he used stock shots and bad images of the city. The very average depiction and Mr Kapoor's character there is so much in distaste! I was hurt to see Anil Kapoor, who is my Munna from "Tezaab", Aroon bhaiyya from "Mr India" and gave such endearing performances in "Karma", "Ram Lakhan", "Woh Saat Din", "Kala Bazaar" and "Haqeeqat", being reduced to nothing in the film. That's not my city and you made a complete fool of Ethane Hunt! I love the film till it showed Mumbai. Then the director became very lazy and took everything for granted. "Slumdog Millionaire" scores there. I love Bollywood and my fraternity. There is no research as far as the depiction of Mumbai is concerned in Cruise's film and I protest that Mr. Cruise."
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About the Author
Priyanka Dasgupta

Priyanka Dasgupta is the features editor of TOI Kolkata. She has over 20 years of experience in covering entertainment, art and culture. She describes herself as sensitive yet hard-hitting, objective yet passionate. Her hobbies include watching cinema, listening to music, travelling, archiving and gardening.

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