Change Is The Only Constant

It’s impossible for me to start writing today without a mention of all the political hoopla that’s surrounded us! India has voted for change, and like Heraclitus, the famous Greek philosopher, had once said, ‘Nothing endures but change’. Indian society has undergone continuous evolution since 1947. The rate of evolution, in urban areas, has shot up since the markets opened up in 1991. While rural India is yet to modernise and catch up with urban counterparts, it is the city-bred, university-educated middle-class that has progressed in leaps-and-bounds. Like every developing society, our needs are aspirational. We don’t want Bata anymore. Big brands like Steve Madden, Zara, Jack & Jones attract more customers than homegrown stores like Westside and Shoppers Stop even though, ALL clothes - are made either in Bangladesh or China. While a large section of our people are still steeped in bigotry, class/caste/religious bias, superstitions, and pseudo-nobility, there is the younger, free-spirited, forward-thinking lot that is breaking norms and taboos. Essentially, we’re at the cusp of either holding back, or choosing to evolve into something new. On paper, these present a highly interesting picture, but to head a country at such a precarious point in time is no mean task! I won’t embarrass myself by talking about something (read: politics) that’s beyond my scope, but I do hope we’re able to be the best we can be. May the new government live up to the faith of the people. Inshallah, hum honge kaamyaab!
And, while talking of kamyaabi, one is reminded of the battle that is still being fought in a neighboring country. Bangladesh fought a bloody war in 1971 to gain independence from Pakistan. Only a handful of us know what exactly happened. I do because my roots are in Bangladesh, and my ancestors had to flee the country while everything they had was taken away and crushed to death. Those of you who don’t, I’d request you to take 160 minutes out of your busy schedules and watch MrityunjayDevvrat’s Children of War (CoW). It lacks a tight screenplay and exhibits inexperienced direction, but nonetheless it gives voice to an important story. It’s almost like a documentary- has no time for frills and is brutally honest. It’s essential for us to watch it at least once. And lastly, a word about the background score by Ishaan Chhabra. His haunting, Hans Zimmer-inspired music has made gruesome visuals come alive. He reinforces my belief that background music is the backbone of moviemaking. You guys should check out CoW before it’s pulled off theaters to make space for candy-floss Bollywood!