Indian social media bashed ‘Basmati Blues’ in Sri Lanka
‘Basmati Blues’ Hollywood comedy musical movie that placed Academy awarded Brie Larson in a controversy in Indian social media for her role as ‘white saviour; and portrayal of India, is now being screened here.
As soon as the film official trailer was released, the Indian internet users bashed the film for portraying Indian stereotypes. They also were critical of Brie’s role of white fighter joining poor India against white super power. The film is set in India.
Directorial debut by Dan Baron, the film stars Scott Bakula, Donald Sutherland, Tyne Daley along with Brie, the film revolves around an American scientist (Brie Larson) who creates genetically modified rice with her father (Scott Bakula), and their boss (Donald Sutherland) sends them to India to sell it to rural farmers. However, once she realizes that her company is actually evil, she tries to work against them to save the people.
Following the social media criticism, makers of ‘Basmati Blues’ released an official response regarding criticism of the trailer for their production and claimed that the film was about two people who reach across cultures, fight against corporate greed, and find love.
Issued by Monique Caulfield and Danny Baron the statement noted “We deeply regret any offence caused by the Basmati Blues trailer. We have heard a number of voices that have understandably reacted to a trailer that is not representative of the film as a whole. Unfortunately, the international trailer has given the wrong impression of the film’s message and heart. This movie is not about an American going abroad to solve India’s problems. At its heart but it is about two people who reach across cultures, fight against corporate greed, and find love. The film explores our responsibility for our actions and for each other, and attempts to do it in a disarming way, using music, comedy and romance. We are confident that the film, when seen in its entirety, will bear out our appreciation and respect for India and its people.”
However though in a lighter vain, the film reminds about the campaign lead by internationally renowned Indian crusader against genetically modified rice Dr. Vandana Shiva. Dr. Shiva strongly fights against the use of genetically modified crops and made her an internationally renowned anti-G.M.O. activist.
