Considering the rerelease of two classic, high-nostalgia films – one a cult favourite, the other an all-time blockbuster – Thomas Crowley reflects on how and why we process the past and what it says about about the present.
2013 may have marked 100 years of Indian cinema, but the nostalgia party has continued into 2014. On January 3, after two years of build-up, Sholay was re-released nationwide, in 3D. Does the world really need another theatrical release of Sholay, perhaps the most iconic Bollywood film of all time? And is it possible to get a clear-headed look at the aesthetics, the politics and the larger meaning of Sholay, in this midst of all the nostalgic haze?
The conversion to 3D is hard to regard as anything but a cheap marketing ploy, an attempt to cash in on the film’s enduring popularity. The ubiquity and familiarity of Sholayspeak is the main theme of the trailer for the 3D version, which is little more than a careful cataloging of all the film’s most famous lines.
But Sholay was not the only old film to grace multiplexes across the country in the early months of 2014. There was another retro release, though this one came with much less fanfare and an infinitesimally smaller advertising budget: the commercial release, at long last, of Kamal Swaroop’s 1988 masterpiece Om Dar-Ba-Dar. The film bounced around the festival circuit during its initial release, but had not been shown in cinemas in India. Om Dar-Ba-Dar thus has none of Sholay’s ubiquity; but for the film’s devoted following, Om Dar-Ba-Dar’s dialogues and songs are just as lovingly remembered and winkingly quoted.
Sholay was released just six weeks after Indira Gandhi imposed the Emergency. With its story of a government servant going beyond the law to restore order to an errant society, Sholay has uncomfortable, if unintentional, resonances with the Emergency.
Both films then, are founts of nostalgia, albeit in different ways. And they enter the cinemas in the midst of a veritable blizzard of filmic throwbacks, which include other re-releases, and newer films, both alternative (Gangs of Wasseypur) and mainstream (Gunday being only the latest example). Why this proliferation at this moment in time? Nostalgia, of course, can strike at any time – people are always looking back to a (non-existent) glorious past. And the past is nostalgised in cycles, with certain eras getting the sentimental treatment as they fade further into memory. But there is also evidence that nostalgia surges in unsettled times. And there does seem to be a churning in India – a widespread discontent with growing inequality, rising prices, regressive sexual norms, and an increasingly obvious, rapacious business/ politics nexus. The anti-corruption movement, the protests against sexual violence: these can be read as surface-level manifestations of a much deeper malaise.
Unease with current times does not automatically lead to progressive change; it can just as easily lead to regressive fantasies, as the Tea Party movement in the United States has shown. Perhaps it is not too much of a stretch to put the Sholay nostalgia in this context.
On the face of it, Sholay nostalgia seems innocent enough, a celebration of the film’s ‘70s style and its familiar themes – the disco inspired clothing of the two heroes, the bromance that borders on camp, the warm, fuzzy portrait of harmonious village life. But many film scholars have pointed to the ultimately reactionary nature of Sholay’s plot, in which a feudal landlord (Thakur) hires goons to do his bidding and restore peace to a tight-knit village community. Could this be part of its modern-day appeal?
This may be oversimplifying. A look at the context of Sholay complicates the matter. By chance, Sholay was released just six weeks after Indira Gandhi imposed the Emergency. With its story of a government servant going beyond the law to restore order to an errant society, Sholay has uncomfortable, if unintentional, resonances with the Emergency.
In this context, it becomes more difficult to read Sholay nostalgically, as a paean to the simplicity of village life. But then, the whole impulse of nostalgia is to wish away such inconvenient historical facts.
The nostalgia over Om Dar-Ba-Dar is of an entirely different nature. In fact, Om Dar-Ba-Dar is, in some ways, the anti- Sholay. While Sholay is the gold standard of Bollywood films, Om Dar-Ba-Dar is, in the words of an anonymous blogger, the “antithesis to whatever is recognised globally as Indian cinema.” And yet Om Dar-Ba-Dar is much more than a reverse image of Sholay; it is in many ways a sly commentary on, and an active critique of, the typical Bollywood tropes that Sholay embodies, including the item number, the quaint depiction of small-town India and the sentimental, “till-death-do-us-part” romance.
And yet, despite – or perhaps because of – its satirical depiction of 1980s, small-town life (rote memorisation in the classroom, love and longing via Vividh Bharati, superstition and commerce in equal measure), Om Dar-Ba-Dar strikes a nostalgic chord for those who lived through those times. Released just before the era of liberalisation, the film captures the idiosyncrasies of life outside the global marketplace. For all its surrealism, it has a very real grasp of the textures of those times (including many references to caste in the age of Mandal). Even as it lampoons small-town conventions, it evokes nostalgia for a now-distant age.
Adding to the nostalgia are the memories of how one discovered this underground gem. From a single VHS cassette, Om Dar-Ba-Dar was copied so many times that later copies only had sound – the images were corrupted to the point of total illegibility. The movie eventually made its way online, and found a new audience through the world of torrents. Passed on from friend to friend like a secret treasure, the film – and the chase involved in hunting it down – plays a key role in the nostalgic memory of many cineastes. If Sholay is a contemporary Ramayana or Mahabharata in the way it has seeped into the collective consciousness, Om Dar-Ba-Dar is an obscure Tantric text discussed in whispers by a sensuous group of initiates. (Sadly, the current release of the film did little to bring it to a wider audience, as it played only in select urban multiplexes as part of the “PVR Rare” line.)
Om Dar-Ba-Dar is much more than a reverse image of Sholay; it is in many ways a sly commentary on, and an active critique of, the typical Bollywood tropes that Sholay embodies, including the item number, the quaint depiction of smalltown India and the sentimental, “till-deathdo- us-part” romance
But beyond the nostalgia, what kind of film is Om Dar- Ba-Dar? Although many have thrown their hands in the air and declared that the film can’t be described – or that it is, for the lack of a better word, “postmodern” – this seems like a cop-out. True, the film is wildly experimental and full of non sequiturs. It is often compared to an acid trip, and with good reason. But one comes away with the feeling that there’s a method to the madness. For all its supposed incoherence, Om Dar-Ba-Dar at all times bears the imprint of its auteur director. The film is Swaroop’s meditation – or perhaps more accurately, his hallucination – on adolescence, politics, religion, education, money and terrorist tadpoles. It is his biting, jumpy, ecstatic vision that animates the film from start to finish. In fact, in many ways, Om Dar- Ba-Dar resembles Finnegan’s Wake, the final work of the arch-modernist author James Joyce: both Joyce and Swaroop described their works as invocations of the language of the night and the logic of dreams.
What if Sholay is really the postmodern film? Doesn’t the film presage the brutal revenge fantasies, the genre mashups and the ever-present homages that made that quintessential post-modernist, Quentin Tarantino, so popular two decades later? I know this is a contrarian argument, but perhaps such questions will shake up debate around both mainstream and alternative classics, pushing them out of the nostalgic hazes in which they now lie.
fdertol mrtokev
It is in point of fact a great and helpful piece of information. I am glad that you simply shared this helpful info with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
slot 5k
Hey would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re using? I’m looking to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a difficult time deciding between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something completely unique. P.S Apologies for getting off-topic but I had to ask!
situs slot depo 5k
You are my inspiration , I have few web logs and very sporadically run out from to brand.
gelatin trick recipe
Yay google is my world beater helped me to find this outstanding internet site! .
gelatin trick
This design is steller! You definitely know how to keep a reader amused. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Excellent job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!
bandar toto macau
I’ll right away seize your rss as I can’t find your e-mail subscription link or newsletter service. Do you have any? Please allow me understand so that I may subscribe. Thanks.
gelatin trick
you have a great blog here! would you like to make some invite posts on my blog?
local translation services UK
I simply couldn’t go away your web site prior to suggesting that I really loved the standard information an individual supply in your visitors? Is going to be back ceaselessly to inspect new posts
gelatin trick recipe
Some really nice stuff on this website , I enjoy it.
orange peel trick recipe
Hi, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog in Ie, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, fantastic blog!
lavanderia goiania
I got what you intend,saved to bookmarks, very decent site.
gelatin trick recipe
It is the best time to make a few plans for the long run and it is time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I desire to recommend you few fascinating things or suggestions. Perhaps you could write next articles relating to this article. I desire to learn more things approximately it!
pcxwin
Hello, you used to write great, but the last several posts have been kinda boring… I miss your great writings. Past few posts are just a little out of track! come on!
Encanador de emergência
I am not positive where you are getting your info, however good topic. I must spend some time learning much more or working out more. Thank you for excellent info I was in search of this info for my mission.
iblbet
Thanks for all your efforts that you have put in this. very interesting information.
gelatin trick
Great items from you, man. I’ve remember your stuff prior to and you’re just too excellent. I really like what you’ve received right here, certainly like what you’re saying and the way in which you assert it. You are making it entertaining and you continue to care for to stay it sensible. I can’t wait to read much more from you. That is actually a great website.
togel
Incredible! This blog looks just like my old one! It’s on a entirely different topic but it has pretty much the same page layout and design. Outstanding choice of colors!
bariatric gelatin trick
Heya i am for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out much. I hope to give something back and aid others like you aided me.
bariatric gelatin recipe
A person necessarily help to make severely posts I might state. That is the very first time I frequented your website page and thus far? I amazed with the research you made to create this actual submit incredible. Excellent activity!
gelatin trick for weight loss
I love the efforts you have put in this, appreciate it for all the great posts.
gelatin trick recipe
There are some fascinating points in time in this article but I don’t know if I see all of them middle to heart. There may be some validity but I’ll take maintain opinion until I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we want extra! Added to FeedBurner as well
slot gacor
Hello my loved one! I wish to say that this post is awesome, great written and come with approximately all significant infos. I would like to look extra posts like this .
toto slot
I really appreciate this post. I’ve been looking everywhere for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You’ve made my day! Thx again!
alquiler de moto en mallorca
Woah! I’m really loving the template/theme of this blog. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s tough to get that “perfect balance” between superb usability and visual appearance. I must say you’ve done a excellent job with this. Additionally, the blog loads extremely quick for me on Firefox. Exceptional Blog!
ayuda TFM arquitectura
Hi there! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!
banca multifuncional
Simply wish to say your article is as astonishing. The clarity in your put up is simply spectacular and i could suppose you are an expert on this subject. Fine together with your permission let me to snatch your RSS feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thank you 1,000,000 and please carry on the rewarding work.
Real estate José Ignacio
I like this web site very much, Its a real nice post to read and get info .
bluetooth headset
I discovered your blog site on google and check a few of your early posts. Continue to keep up the very good operate. I just additional up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Seeking forward to reading more from you later on!…
ghdrol
You completed certain good points there. I did a search on the topic and found the majority of folks will have the same opinion with your blog.
pink gelatin trick
Hi my friend! I wish to say that this post is amazing, nice written and come with approximately all important infos. I would like to see more posts like this .
omaslot
What i do not realize is in truth how you’re now not actually much more well-preferred than you might be now. You’re very intelligent. You understand therefore significantly with regards to this matter, made me in my view consider it from so many various angles. Its like men and women are not involved until it’s one thing to do with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs outstanding. All the time handle it up!
orange peel trick
Thank you for another wonderful article. Where else could anyone get that kind of information in such an ideal way of writing? I have a presentation next week, and I am on the look for such info.
burnslim
A person essentially help to make seriously posts I would state. This is the first time I frequented your web page and thus far? I surprised with the research you made to create this particular publish incredible. Excellent job!
7iwin
I’ve recently started a site, the info you offer on this website has helped me tremendously. Thanks for all of your time & work.
slot gacor
Great wordpress blog here.. It’s hard to find quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate people like you! take care
teste iptv gratuito
Hi! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with SEO? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good results. If you know of any please share. Many thanks!
arialief
An impressive share, I just given this onto a colleague who was doing just a little analysis on this. And he actually bought me breakfast as a result of I discovered it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the treat! But yeah Thnkx for spending the time to discuss this, I really feel strongly about it and love reading more on this topic. If possible, as you turn into experience, would you thoughts updating your blog with more details? It is highly useful for me. Massive thumb up for this blog publish!
prodentim reviews
I got what you intend, thankyou for posting.Woh I am glad to find this website through google.
eva bloom
I am often to blogging and i really appreciate your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your site and keep checking for new information.
jamb cbt practice
After all, what a great site and informative posts, I will upload inbound link – bookmark this web site? Regards, Reader.
prodentim oral supplement
I’m not sure exactly why but this blog is loading very slow for me. Is anyone else having this problem or is it a problem on my end? I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still exists.
car rental malaysia
I couldn’t resist commenting