This story is from October 1, 2007

Unequal music

Priyanka Dasgupta / TNN / Oct 1, 2007, 00:00 IST

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Dharm has crossed swords with Eklavya over the Oscar debate. Good friends Debajyoti Mishra and Shantanu Maitra, who have composed the music for the two films respectively, make noise for CT

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Stills from Eklavya. Dharm has crossed swords with Eklavya over the Oscar debate. Good friends Debajyoti Mishra and Shantanu Maitra, who have composed the music for the two films respectively, make noise for CT
The Bombay High Court has said that Eklavya’s selection as India’s official entry to the Academy Awards “appears to be a prima facie case of bias”.
Hearing a petition filed by film-maker Bhavna Talwar whose film, Dharm, had lost out by one vote in the selection process prompting her to drag the Film Federation of India and its selection committee to court for its “biased and unfair” decisionmaking in favour of Eklavya’s maker, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, the Bench has directed the FFI and three members of the jury to file their replies and adjourned the matter till October 10. Meanwhile, the last date for submission of the final entry to the Oscars is October 1. This decision could well mean that India might not have any official entry to the Oscars this year.

While the makers of Dharm and Eklavya continue with their verbal and legal duel, both the composers of the two films have strong Kolkata connections and are good friends too. CT tunes in to the unequal music of Debajyoti Mishra and Shantanu Maitra.
Debajyoti Mishra
Let me first say that my comments have nothing to do with the fact that I’ve scored the music for Dharm. I’m all for good films. I haven’t seen a film better than Herbert after I watched 36, Chowringhee Lane. I also thought Lage Raho Munna Bhai deserved to be sent to the Oscars. Make no mistake, I haven’t scored the music for either of the films.

I fell in love with Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s films ever since I watched Khamosh and Parinda. Whatever he directed after that was trash. Eklavya is not a film at all. Chhobita Vinod Choprar ekti oshhyodimbo. It seems like a less than ordinary film with a lot of opulence. Devdas too was very opulent. It’s not that I’m very fond of the film.
But, at least the masses accepted its grandeur. Eklavya doesn’t have a strong storyline. It was neither loved by connoisseurs nor the masses. Of course, it had some Mr Amitabh Bachchan acting in it. Boman Irani is an incredible actor. But Eklavya makes me feel that all these actors were highly paid to do this film that was an attempt to turn black money into white. Vinod Chopra could have donated this money to a good cause. The music is just okay. Shantanu is a sensitive musician and he knows his job. But the film didn’t provide much scope for Shantanu to excel.Dharm is a low-profile film. If it went to the Oscars, the jury could have understood that India makes good films. And what’s this talk about Bhavna trying to get mileage from this protest? All of us want recognition. The cause is important and Bhavna’s film has a purpose. So, let’s not confuse her with attention seeking
headline grabbers.
Shantanu Maitra
I can’t talk about the case since it’s subjudice. I’m very proud of Eklavya. If I was not proud, I wouldn’t have been involved with it. I think it’s a fantastic film. In all these reports regarding the Oscar controversy, people are completely ignoring what the international press had to say. The LA Times had said it’s a ‘lost film by David Lean’. I can’t completely throw this comment aside. Much as I respect the Indian media, I also respect what the international media has to say.
When Paheli was sent to the Oscars, I didn’t question the film. I hadn’t even seen Paheli. It would be a pity if India can’t send a single film to the Oscars this year. If a film has been selected, I will respect the decision. I never questioned why Omkara, Parineeta or Lage Raho Munna Bhai weren’t sent to the Oscars. So, why would I question the jury’s decision now?
In all these years, Vinod didn’t question any of the jury’s decisions either. Today when his film is going, why is there so much of controversy? Eklavya is a film from India. If Indians can’t root for our own film, it doesn’t do well to boost the morale. If people feel that India can’t be represented by one film, one should not question the film which has been selected. Question the selection procedure instead. I haven’t heard the music of Dharm. Debajyoti is completely entitled to his own opinion. All I can say is that, let’s have the sunny side up.

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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