'The Avengers' Indian Slum Scenes Draw Criticism from Indians

[Dance]

---

---

While the superhero film has opened well in India, members of the Indian film industry and others have expressed dismay about its slum scenes depicting Kolkata.


“Kolkata has a rich culture and heritage, and a filmmaker should respect that. There are two scenes about India, and they only show slums," well-known Kolkata-based actor Rituparna Sengupta told the Hindustan Times. "It could have been done in better taste." The newspaper ran a story headlined, “Hulk's Slum Act Miffs Fans.”

“It is disturbing to see the murky underbelly of India in Hollywood films," added Bollywood actress Neha Dhupia. "But before pointing it out to the West, we need to make efforts to change their perception about us.”

The Indian slum scenes – recreated in New Mexico - have also attracted criticism from movie-goers quoted in the newspaper. “There is no reason to be happy about the Indian connection (in The Avengers). It has become a trend in the West to show Indian slums and a Westerner trying to help the poor here,” said a software professional, Nitin Bhatia. “When will Hollywood stop cashing in on the poverty here?” added a bank employee, Rishabh Bal.

While The Avengers has opened well to mostly positive reviews, leading newsmagazine Outlook pointed to a minor casting issue in its review of the film. “Never mind that the ragged Indian child shown in the Kolkata slums spoke to Bruce Banner in Hindi with a thick American accent,” it wrote.

'The Avengers' Indian Slum Scenes Draw Criticism - The Hollywood Reporter

[Chinese-Dragon]

It has become a trend in the West to show Indian slums and Westerners trying to help the poor there.

Indians absolutely love Westerners. Too bad they don't return the favour... whenever any big-budget Western movie comes out, it always depicts India in the same way that Danny Boyle did with the "Slum millionaire" film.

Then the Indians turn around, and boast to the Chinese/Pakistanis/Bangladeshis, that the Westerners love Indians the most.

[jellodragon]

Sorry, slums are the ony reason India is popular in Hollywood. It's the truth. You guys are so ungrateful. If you want a beter reputation, get rid of the slums. Btw, I saw that scene... Hahahah...

[Dance]

Indians angered by 'Avengers' slum scenes


The opening scenes of "The Avengers" -- showing Hulk's alter ego Dr. Bruce Banner in hiding in Kolkata's slums helping cure lepers -- has faced some criticism in India.

“Kolkata has a rich culture and heritage, and a filmmaker should respect that. There are two scenes about India, and they only show slums," well-known Kolkata-based actor Rituparna Sengupta told the Hindustan Times. "It could have been done in better taste." The newspaper ran a story headlined, “Hulk's Slum Act Miffs Fans.”
“It is disturbing to see the murky underbelly of India in Hollywood films," added Bollywood actress Neha Dhupia. "But before pointing it out to the West, we need to make efforts to change their perception about us.”

The Indian slum scenes -- recreated in New Mexico -- have also attracted criticism from movie-goers quoted in the newspaper. “There is no reason to be happy about the Indian connection (in "The Avengers"). It has become a trend in the West to show Indian slums and a Westerner trying to help the poor here,” said a software professional, Nitin Bhatia.
“When will Hollywood stop cashing in on the poverty here?” added a bank employee, Rishabh Bal.

While The Avengers has opened well to mostly positive reviews, leading newsmagazine Outlook pointed to a minor casting issue in its review of the film. “Never mind that the ragged Indian child shown in the Kolkata slums spoke to Bruce Banner in Hindi with a thick American accent,” it wrote.

As previously reported, "The Avengers'" Hindi dubbed version includes a specially recorded song, “Hello Andheron” (Hello Darkness), by Indian band Agnee.


msnbc.com Entertainment - Indians angered by 'Avengers' slum scenes

[gubbi]

Much ado about nothing. You will have cry babies anywhere you go. Bollywood routinely portrays Americans as naive or idiotic or anything inbetween.
Crybabies are immature!

[LURKER]

Sorry, slums are the ony reason India is popular in Hollywood. It's the truth. You guys are so ungrateful. If you want a beter reputation, get rid of the slums. Btw, I saw that scene... Hahahah...

atleast better than being stereotyped as terrorists

[Dance]

Indians absolutely love Westerners. Too bad they don't return the favour... whenever any big-budget Western movie comes out, it always depicts India in the same way that Danny Boyle did with the "Slum millionaire" film.

Then the Indians turn around, and boast to the Chinese/Pakistanis/Bangladeshis that the Westerners love Indians the most.

I don't really know whats there to be upset about.

Slums are an unfortunate reality of india

[gubbi]

Indians absolutely love Westerners. Too bad they don't return the favour... whenever any big-budget Western movie comes out, it always depicts India in the same way that Danny Boyle did with the "Slum millionaire" film.

Then the Indians turn around, and boast to the Chinese/Pakistanis/Bangladeshis that the Westerners love Indians the most.

Apparently you havent seen MI-4 Ghost Protocol for starters.

[jellodragon]

atleast better than being stereotyped as terrorists

Resorting to personal attacks... Hahaha

[Ignited Mind]

I saw Avengers this saturday and frankly I was so engrossed with the movie that I didn't notice any such thing.

Watched MI4 a few days back. It portrayed India in a pretty OKAY way.

Resorting to personal attacks... Hahaha

How exactly is it a 'personal' attack on you?

Are you a terrorist?

[gubbi]

Resorting to personal attacks... Hahaha

Lol. It aint any personal attack, dumbo! Obviously, English comprehension if not your forte.

[jellodragon]

How exactly is it a 'personal' attack on you?

Are you a terrorist?

Looks like you didn't get me.

He said "stereotype".

[gubbi]

He said "stereotype".

Obviously you dont get it either. What was implied was exactly what you had implied before him. An eye for an eye.

[SHAMK9]

Lmao, it's becoming a norm these days, Pakistanis= terrorists+ acid throwers, Indians= poor people and slums, they need to get a life

[Mercenary]

---

---

Apparently you havent seen MI-4 Ghost Protocol for starters.

They showed slums in that movie.

Remember the scene when Tom Cruise is driving the BMW through the slums

India thinks that it has Bollywood, and Call Centers that somehow it will change its impression.

But with what happened to Shilpa Shetty being racially abused in Big Brother

With Shah Rukh Khan being strip searched at US Airport

With India being protrayed as an area for slums, leprosy, child prostitution, etc.

And with Transformers showing an Indian Call Center Scene

So no matter how hard you guys try, you guys will always conform to that stereotype