It was only today that I got a chance to view the new MILE SUR MERA TUMHARA on Zoom TV. Until today all I had heard about it was that it was nowhere near the previous version going by the loud and clear opinions on all the social networking forums.
To be honest, when I saw glimpses of the video earlier, I also began to think like the others and criticize it until I actually sat down and dispassionately viewed a screening once again myself.
Yes, you guessed it right. I did like the new version!
Before you close your browser let me explain why.
MILE SUR MERA TUMHARA was successful and popular not only because it was a great composition which it was but also because it brought icons of the country together on the same platform provoking the sentiment of integrity in a subtle manner. Icons form the film fraternity, sports, performing arts, creative artistes. You name it! The original version was shot over 20 years ago and hence had icons of the previous century all of whom are today legends and almost define the golden era of yesteryears.
The new version also attempts to achieve the same. The video begins with AR Rehman playing a tune on the finger board followed by Amitabh Bachan dressed in a tux. (Why a tux???) It showcases the first family of the hindi film fraternity, the singers that are making waves today viz: Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghosal, Shaan, the trio of Shankar Ehsaan and Loy. Musicians Amjad Ali Khan with his sons, Louis Banks with his son, Zakir Hussain, Taufik Querieshi and Trilok Gurtu. Performing artistes Shobhana, Shamik Davar, sports persons who have got India international glory viz: Vijendra Singh, Sushil Kumar, Bhaichung Bhutia, Abhinav Bindra, Saina Nehwal and Gopichand. Yes, would have loved to see Leander Paes with Mahesh Bhupati and the great four Indian Batmen of our times along with Anil Kumble in there as well. This one does not showcase Pandit Bhimsen Joshi and Lata Mangeshkar as they are very very senior and no longer performing as they used to but does showcase Dr. Yesudas and Dr. L Subramaniam.
Most people I spoke to were irked by the presence of the bollywood film stars of today in the video. The previous one had stars as well. Amitabh Bachan was just a big star then, not a legend as he is today. The older video featured Sharmila Tagore, Waheeda Rehman, Tanuja amongst others as well. They were the stars of that decade. This one has Deepika, Priyanka and Ranbir. If the stars of this decade make people feel this way, it is mainly reflection on the fact that they are no longer role model material. Which is sad but true and has nothing to do with the composition and video.
We have a cliched tendency to compare a product of today with that of yesteryears. We compare Sachin with Sunny. We compare Sonu Nigam with Rafi. In my opinion, comparisons between icons of two different eras is quite simply stupid as they are a reflection of the times.
The tune is jazzy alright but is today's music not like that? If youth of today can not relate to this video, well then they are not altogether pleased with what their times have to offer.
It reflects that the era gone buy was really timeless.
This I truly believe is a very good composition.
1 comment:
Hi nice blog..but i still feel selection of ppl is horrible in the video. As you want to convey that the idea id to present the legends in making, few people look even more undeserving in that video. I would have loved to see Dhoni, Leander Paes, Madhuri Dixit, Sania Mirza, Ratan Tata, Anil Ambani, some young politicians like milind deora etc. in the video who have actually inspired people in their respective fields. I still wonder what's karan johar doing in that video! and I would still pretend as though i haven't seen that video! :P
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