2010 could well be called the year of Indian journalists in Bollywood. Two journalists did the industry proud even though they didn’t belong to any filmi khandaan. I am talking about Anusha Rizvi and her successful film Peepli [Live] and Subhash Kapoor’s Phas Gaya Re Obama.
Both films were rooted in the rural hinterland, but made a global statement. While Peepli was honoured at international festivals, Phas Gaya was a surprise at the multiplexes in the Indian metros. Coincidentally, the film’s release coincided with Obama’s visit to India.
From journalists becoming authors to lobbyists to filmmakers, they have managed to spread their communication tentacles wider. Thankfully, they are producing more sensible cinema than the industry busybodies of Bollywood. Time for them to wake up and smell the reels.