Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Farmer suicide joke falls flat in Bollywood hit
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Asia Pacific
World
Farmer suicide joke falls flat in Bollywood hit
AFP - Thursday, August 19
Send
IM Story
Print
Farmer suicide joke falls flat in Bollywood hit
MUMBAI (AFP) - – A satirical Bollywood film about farmer suicides and the divide between urban and rural India has led to protests, calls for it to be banned and even the threat of a hunger strike.
The film "Peepli Live" has been a box office hit since its release last weekend but the sensitive subject matter and its targeting of the government and media has already made it enemies.
Farmers in the western state of Maharashtra have burned an effigy of the man behind the film, superstar Aamir Khan, while two advisers to India's censor board, which passed the film for release, have demanded an apology.
They have taken issue with what they say is a derogatory reference to former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shashtri and one has threatened to go on hunger strike if the offending dialogue is not removed.
Kishore Tiwari, an activist for impoverished farmers and the families of those who have committed suicide in Maharashtra, called the film an "insult to poor farmers".
He had initially welcomed the film as an opportunity to raise awareness of the issue of farmer suicides but has since changed position.
"We will not tolerate this further as the movie revolves around a debt-ridden farmer committing suicide for the sake of compensation, trivialising the issue," he added.
"Aamir Khan should have consulted some experts before finalising the script."
The film, directed by first-time director Anusha Rizvi and made by Khan's production company, revolves around two poor farmers who face losing their land over an unpaid debt after poor monsoon rains.
A local politician suggests to the farmers that they commit suicide so their families get compensation, but a journalist overhears one of the farmers urging the other to end his own life, triggering a media frenzy.
Khan told AFP in an interview earlier this month that the film was about "this growing divide between urban and rural India" and the focus on developing cities and creating wealth.
"As a result villages and rural India get completely neglected. They are almost invisible for us. And that's not good," he said during a US promotional tour, calling the film "a great window into rural life in India today".
Two out of three of India's 1.1 billion people still live and work in rural areas and as many as 150,000 debt-hit farmers have killed themselves in the past decade, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences said last year.
Industry analysts said the film had a strong opening weekend, prompting some to describe it as the best Bollywood film this year.
"Peepli Live" was made for just 50 million rupees (1.1 million dollars) with a cast of virtual unknowns, but has taken 160 million rupees at the box office since it opened last Friday.
The www.boxofficeindia.com site said on Tuesday that the film made about 700,000 dollars overseas after a limited release.
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh wrote on www.bollywoodhungama.com that the film "grew from strength to strength with each passing day and was rock steady at the box office even on Monday".
"The film is outstanding satire and it is difficult to find minuses," he added.
Fellow analyst Komal Nahta added: "The non-star cast 'Peepli Live' has opened this week to a good response in the multiplexes, bringing cheer in the industry. It will fetch very handsome returns."
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
U2 postpones Spanish show due to general strike AFP - 53 minutes ago
Farmer suicide joke falls flat in Bollywood hit AFP - Thursday, August 19
Hairdresser defrauds Hollywood starlets AFP - Thursday, August 19
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary Reuters - Thursday, August 19
CBS developing "Undercover Boss" companion series Reuters - Thursday, August 19
News Search
Top Stories
US jobless claims jump to 500,000; nine-month high
More Americans say Obama is Muslim
Swann double checks Pakistan's progress
GM files for landmark public share offering
Over 200 mln US eggs recalled in salmonella scare
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Michael Douglas cancer fight, halts Hong Kong trip
Most US students think Beethoven is a dog
S.Korea archaeologists uncover 7,000-year-old oar
Weather shifts behind disasters need 'urgent' probe: UN
Obama tries to boost faith in US economic revival
More Most Viewed »
Obama endorses mosque plan near Ground Zero
40 US billionaires pledge half wealth to charity
Visitors attack Taiwan 'haunted house' actors
Massive ice island breaks off Greenland glacier
Belgian man dies of South Asian superbug
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo!
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
World Cup 2010
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Thursday, 19 August 2010 Weather shifts behind disasters need 'urgent' probe: UN
Verizon eyes live TV app for tablets including iPad
Suicide car bomber kills 4 in southern Afghanistan
Criticism mounts over France's Roma expulsion
US-TECH Summary
Khamenei: Iran won't talk with U.S. in current climate
|
Regulatory tensions dragging on US economy: NYSE chief
Eminem Recovers The #1 Spot On Billboard Albums Chart
Cuomo says 6 settle on hidden online shopping fees
"The Expendables" To Premiere On Spike TV
Japan analyzing damage to tanker in Hormuz Strait
|
Party-Backed Kendrick Meek Leads Democratic Primary Race For Senate
WikiLeaks says US willing to talk about leaked papers
Proof of Extra-Terrestial Life in 25 Years Speculates Scientist
Justin Bieber, B.o.B. Performing At MTV Video Music Awards
Homeless NJ Man Discovered Living In Library Basement
Steven Tyler Reportedly Already Signed On For "Idol"
News Corp. Cites GOP's "Pro-Business Agenda" In $1 Million Donation
Deadly Russian heatwave declared over
|
Former Bolivian dictator sent for drug rehabilitation
|
CA Appeals Court Rules Shopping Mall Cannot Infringe On Free Speech Of Customers
Gaming giants bet on 3D for next big boost
Chicago Area Pickpocket Arrested For 58th Time
American-Filipino tenor's rise from rock to opera
U.N. secures more Pakistan flood relief funds
China warns U.S. military report threatens ties
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
China lashes out at Pentagon military report
Child of shrinks recalls his childhood in memoir
US ballet troupe to dance in Cuba for first time in 50 years
T-Mobile USA plans high-speed Android phone
|
Verizon eyes live TV app for iPad, other tablets
|
Dr. Laura to end radio show after racial slurs
Cuomo says 6 settle on hidden online shopping fees
|
Syria tourist numbers up over last year
Author Geraldine Brooks to receive Dayton literary prize
Foxconn holds morale-boosting exercise in China
Betty White books to reflect on sex, aging, animals
German robber nabbed after mocking police in email
|
Former outsourcing tycoon 'bailed' in big fraud case
Model Macedonian school aims to bridge the ethnic divide
Gaming giants bet on 3D for next big boost
Reliance-CBS announce new TV channels for India, S.Asia
'Mr. Right' gets modern makeover in The Switch
|
Dr. Laura to end radio talk show after racial slurs
|
Betty White books to reflect on sex, aging, animals
|
Author Geraldine Brooks to receive Dayton literary prize
|
Man behind Bozo the Clown remembered in new book
|
Pentagon says no to 'sanitized' WikiLeaks release
U.S. says troop numbers in Iraq at 56,000
|
Bull rams spectators in Spain, 30 injured
Facebook adds location-sharing feature
U.S. says troop numbers in Iraq at 56,000
Over 4 million homeless in flood-hit Pakistan: U.N.
|
GM files for landmark public share offering
Criticism mounts over France's Roma expulsion
Khamenei: Iran won't talk with U.S. in current climate
HP names firm to spearhead CEO search
Eminem Recovers The #1 Spot On Billboard Albums Chart
China rescuers seek 90 missing after landslide
|
Obama tries to boost faith in US economic revival
U.S. companies, others meet again on Internet traffic
Venezuela bans papers from printing violent photos
|
Afghanistan, African countries top index for food insecurity
Titanic to come to 3D life in scientific expedition
Body of kidnapped mayor dumped in northern Mexico
|
Verizon eyes live TV app for iPad, other tablets
T-Mobile USA plans high-speed Android phone
Wyclef Jean says threats won't deter candidacy
|
North Korea confirms Chinese among detained fishermen
|
Police detain suspect after blast kills 7 in Xinjiang
|
Cuban dissidents denounce government harassment
|
UN to meet on Pakistan as fears mount for survivors
Hairdresser defrauds Hollywood starlets
Indonesia's coral reefs dying at alarming rate
Kings of Leon reject "Glee" request
Last US combat brigade pulls out of Iraq
US base ruling risks new tensions for Colombia's president
HP names firm to spearhead CEO search
|
Paroled US radical ordered back to prison in Peru
India finds a way to access BlackBerry emails: report
|
Ernest Borgnine to be honored by Hollywood actors
U.S. Clarifies E-Mail Tough Talk With India Over Bhopal Gas Tragedy
Global minimum and maximum temperatures
Apple iPhone 4 may go on sale in China by Sept: report
|
Man Racks Up $1 Million In PayPal Charges Over Phishing Attack
S.Korean tyre firm eyes Indonesia plant
US Releases Reply Letter Refusing To Negotiate With WikiLeaks
September 11 anniversary set for Muslim centre marches
Stocks Keep Gains For Second Day
Tata Motors targets 700 million dollar issue
Pentagon rules out Wikileaks negotiations
Asia's booming middle classes unmasked in new study
US opposes use of force in South China Sea dispute
Hairdresser defrauds Hollywood starlets
U.S. companies, others meet again on Internet traffic
|
Titanic to come to 3D life in scientific expedition
|
Seoul shares up for 3rd day on Hyundai Motor, Hynix
Muslim employee sues US Disneyland over headscarf ban
Another region in China raises minimum wage
CBS developing "Undercover Boss" companion series
Korea Hot Stocks
China starts trading Malaysian ringgit against yuan
Bret Michaels sues concert promoter for $5 million
China province shuts fireworks plants after blast
"Saw" veteran makes date for '11 11 11'
BRIEF-Moody's Korean telcos improve profitability
NZ consumer confidence edges higher in August-survey
Kings of Leon reject "Glee" request
Spoofs seek proof of life at box office
Year since bomber freed, Lockerbie tries to move on
Aerosmith singer Tyler joining "Idol": bandmate
Broadband network could switch Australian voters
Aerosmith singer Tyler joining Idol: bandmate
|
Iceland aiming to be a global press freedom haven
Bret Michaels sues concert promoter for $5 million
|
Lohan attorneys meet with judge, new hearing set
|
Apple iPhone 4 may go on sale in China by Sept: report
Spoofs seek proof of life at box office
|
CBS developing Undercover Boss companion series
|
Kings of Leon reject Glee request
|
Eric Clapton reunites with Sheryl Crow on album
|
BBC News apologizes for weatherman gesture
|
Saw veteran makes date for '11 11 11'
|
Jersey Shore star Snooki pleads not guilty
|
Analysis
Scores expelled in French crackdown on Roma
Seoul fights to block N.Korea's Twitter propaganda
South Africa police fire rubber bullets at strikers
|
China says crashed North Korean jet had mechanical failure
|
A year on, Lockerbie bomber casts a long shadow
|
Alleged Paramount Leaked Email Reveals Upcoming Projects
Gaza-bound aid ship aims to leave Lebanon on Sunday
|
Egg Recall Expanded to 380 Million Over Salmonella Outbreak
Mandela charity trustee quits over Campbell gems
|
Betty White Inks Deal For Two Books
France expels radical cleric in anti-crime drive
|
Afghanistan marks independence day
12-Year-Old Girl Busted In NYC Drug Raid
Wyclef Jean says threats won't deter candidacy
|
Over 200 mln US eggs recalled in salmonella scare
Facebook "Places" lets users track friends and services
Appeals Court Rules Utah Roadside Crosses Unconstitutional
Short-Short Clad Women Cause Highway Pileup
Prenatal Exposure To Pesticides Linked To Attention Problems
Latest China mudslides leave 14 dead, dozens missing
Israel, Lebanon oppose border escalation: UN force
Georgia Cop Charged With Protecting Drug Dealers, Stealing
Explosion in China's restive Xinjiang kills seven
Pakistan flood homeless toll put at over 4 million
Early Life Events Impact Adult Mental Health
Kabul defiant on private security firms despite fears
Myanmar opposition widens reach before poll
Even Modest Weight Gain Could Harm Youngsters' Blood Vessels
Taliban attack road crew in south Afghanistan
US raises Myanmar heat with war crimes panel call
US service member killed in southern Afghanistan
Bangladesh shuts gas filling stations for Ramadan
Facebook Places lets users track friends and services
|
US teen hopeful for peace after N.Korea visit
Japan's Ozawa may challenge PM in party vote
Dilmaboy and Twitter: Brazil election goes online
|
N.Korea confirms it seized S.Korean fishing boat
Farmer suicide joke falls flat in Bollywood hit
Attack kills 7 in China's restive Xinjiang
Titanic to come to 3D life in scientific expedition
|
Muslim employee: Disney banned her head scarf
Kosovo hurdles for Roma kids expelled from Germany
Operator of Wis. ride where girl fell is charged
Thais to rule on suspected arms dealer extradition
Myanmar pro-democracy leaders praise US decision
Rare double quake blamed for South Pacific tsunami
China Mobile profit lifted by economic growth
Japanese shares close higher on hopes of action
Indonesia railway launches women-only carriages
ADB prepares two billion dollar fund for Pakistan
India's BlackBerry formula amid security concerns
Seoul shares up for 3rd day on Hyundai Motor, Hynix
ADB offers flood-hit Pakistan $2 bln package
A Minute With: Emma Thompson as Nanny McPhee
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights