What if Spielberg were to apply to the Indian Govt for funds to make a film on the great Indian epic Mahabharata? Read this hilarious article to find out. Evidently, a filmi depiction of the epic could potentially hurt public sentiments and contravene existing Indian Laws. Here's a sample:
In the script... it is shown that there were two sets of cousins, namely, the Kauravas, numbering one hundred, and the Pandavas, numbering five. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has pointed out that these numbers are high, well above the norm prescribed for families by them. It is brought to your kind attention that when the Government is spending huge amounts for promoting family planning, this will send wrong signals to the public. Therefore, it is recommended that there may be only three Kauravas and one Pandava.
And that isnt all - the Mahabharata, it appears, contrives to offend several other ministries, break several laws and hurt the sentiments of various people! If only Maharishi Vyasa had known... I'm sure he'll be more careful while writing his next epic. Wonder if this is the reason why Shyam Benegal drastically cut the number of Kauravas in his adaptation of Mahabharata to two!
That's a no-no for Spielberg, lol. He better not. I've been intersted in the Mahabharata but can not find the book at the local library. But I did find a kid's version and read it. Very interestig.
ReplyDeleteNicki, I dont think anybody would be advised to attempt the Mahabharata under those circumstances! :-D It is certainly an interesting tale but I find its modern re-telling a lot more interesting than the original.
ReplyDeleteHaha! I love exercises like this--have you seen the one "letter from an editor" to Dickens? Advises him on all the ways he wrote his novels incorrectly and tells him they're just not sell-able. :-D
ReplyDeleteNope havent seen the one to Dickens - would love to see what improving advice he got! :-) Wonder what modern censorship would do to Shakespeare. lol
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