An Oscar for Globalization!

Slumdog millionaire swept the Oscars with 8 awards last night. I read a headline on CNN that said - "India erupts in a celebration for Slumdog". But was it an Indian movie? Was it a British movie? Which country did Slumdog belong to? I think the answer is none! As far as I know it was the first truly global movie to win so many oscars. The producers and directors of the movie were British, the story and setting was quintessential Indian and it was an American distributor who showed faith in it before the British distributors touched it. The American audience liked the movie much more before the world noticed it in a big way. In my opinion, globalization of the movies won at the Oscars last night.

Globalization perpetuates itself. Slumdog winning Oscars has an impact on the both sides. First of all rural India who knew A. R. Rehman very well but not necessarily know about the Oscars now knows about the Oscars. I am sure that more number of Indians saw this Oscars on the television than ever before. At the same time Indian musicians, cinema technicians and actors/actresses are getting global recognition. This will increase cooperation between Hollywood and Bollywood and spur projects of a similar nature - having the global setting. Globalization in the movie industry has truly come into light last night. The process of globalization of the movies is only going to accelerate here onwards.

I keep telling the critics of globalization in India who fear that western culture will destroy the Indian culture - Globalization is not one way. As you accept western influences and culture, the West will also be exposed to your culture. I keep telling people here too that what you see now is just the beginning - the beginning of the mixing of cultures, movies, people, languages.... It's in everybody's benefit to succumb to it and go with the flow.