MovieChat Forums > Salaam Namaste (2005) Discussion > Far fetched + against the indian culture...

Far fetched + against the indian culture!

posted 19 years ago by bio_girl
40 replies | jump to latest

Being a Preity and Saif fan, I am extremely disappointed with this movie. Not that I had high expectations from it in the beginning (I basically went to see it only because it was filmed in my home town, Melbourne), but I had no idea that the story would be about a couple having a "live-in" relationship. This is considered as taboo in our culture. Our parents would kill us or disown us. Come on think about it all you Indians out there.. The whole concept has never been treaded by Bollywood - the heroine shown to hate marriage, prefers a live-together relationship and doesn't mind pre-marital sex! Furthermore, how was it possible for Ambar to be juggling studying medicine with a part-time radio jockey job plus dancing around pregnant?! You have to wonder after watching the movie, what on earth will Nick and Ambar's parents think about all of this if they return to India?!

Here are some comments by viewers who have recently watched the movie -

cybernoon.com:

..some viewers found it difficult to digest the concept of live-in relationship, as shown in the movie between the lead pairs..

One guy says "The movie is really good and the best part is that you would not get bored at any point while watching the movie." But he was very quick to add, "The concept of live-in relationship is not at all for the Indian setting. It is impossible to live like as Saif and Preity together without getting married in India."

I am sick to death of Bollywood movies not being realistic enough and full of raw comedy. In fact, the comedy was so bad, worse than that of "Bride & Prejudice." Worst of all the scripts are no longer original. 95% of the movies are Hollwood remakes and the amount of vulgarity is just shocking.

I'm sorry, but I have lost faith in Preity and Bollywood. I just wished more movies like "Lagaan", "Swades", "Paheli", "Parineeta" or "Dil Chahta Hai" were made 'cos there is too much crap right now which I just cannot digest.

The performances in the movie were not bad, but I think it's high time Preity and Saif were to move onto more meaningful cinema.

[–] CelinaJaitley 18 years ago

I am extremely disappointed with this movie. but I had no idea that the story would be about a couple having a "live-in" relationship. This is considered as taboo in our culture. Our parents would kill us or disown us. Come on think about it all you Indians out there.. The whole concept has never been treaded by Bollywood - the heroine shown to hate marriage, prefers a live-together relationship and doesn't mind pre-marital sex!

So it's a bad movie because it's not typical of Indian people? That's a dumb reason.

I think it's high time Preity and Saif were to move onto more meaningful cinema.

Meaningful drama in Bollywood? You're looking in the wrong place.

[–] slytherinseeker11 18 years ago

ok i'm just stating what i think. i'm not contradicting or challenging anyone. this is entirely what i think. personally, i was really shocked that they actually lip-locked. i mean, i've seen tamil films where there is liplock but i really don't like it when we follow Hollywood styles. i've always thought of our movies, both Hindi and Tamil, as movies where there is no thing like what happened in Salaam Namaste coz it's against our culture. But hey, that's what i think. I liked the other bits in the movie...i loved the comedy and also the songs especially 'My Dil goes hmmm' (which is the song where it all happens).

"A wedding? I love weddings! Drinks all around!"- Captain Jack Sparrow

[–] Baccano 18 years ago

I agree perfectly with you.
I remember back when I was younger and was in India,I could watch ANY movie my parents picked up without them worring if it was appropriate or not.Now,I've become more cautious when watching the movies I have watched since birth because I'm not sure what might be in them :-/
It's sad in a way,because I used to never watch American movies and always watch Indian ones.Now,I barely watch Indian movies.
I enjoyed Paheli,Dil Chatta Hai,and Lagaan as well but now...

[–] f_n87 18 years ago

I respect everyone's opinions and all, but I think some parts of this are being blown way out of proportion.

So the concept of a live-in realtionship is new to India. But unless all the protestors are living in caves somewhere, the concept is NOT unheard of. Indians all over the world (esp. in Western society) are having live-in relationships. Just because no one comes out and announces it on the radio doesn't mean it doesn't happen. I think even more than the live-in situation, what bothers people is all the kissing and "sex" they show in the movie. I mean, if its really about living in with someone pre-marriage, then what you're saying is as long as the two actors were shown with wedding bands on their fingers, all the kissing and groping wouldn't bother you? That sems hypocritical to me, because they still aren't married in real life, so the ethics of the issue should remain the same in either case. People would still make such an issue over it. Look at the Malika Sherawats of the world. Even if an actor/actress is shown married to someone in a movie, the second their lips lock it becomes a scandal! How does putting a mock ring on justify them kissing? I think people are unfamilar with the concept of such open intimacy on screen so they try to justify it by using the non-marital situation.

And comparing this movie to Swades and Laggan and such contradicts itself. The number one reason those movies got such critical acclaim and public appreciation (particularly Swades) was BECAUSE they were true to life and provided a non-glossy view of the world. Salaam Namaste does the same but its hashed to bits. In reality, live-in relations DO happen, accidental pregnancies DO occur and not every Indian is wed before they bed. Just because Mohan and Geeta don't kiss and Ambar and Nick do, doesn't mean that one is more true to life than another.

**If you have melted chocolate on your hands, you're eating it too slowly**

[–] DreamyGirl247 18 years ago

I completely agree with everything the starter of this thread said, this IS against the Indian culture, it's just wrong! It was so stupid, OBVIOUSLY if you live with a guy he's going to have sex with you! Eventually, especially if you guys are attracted to one another I mean come on guys! First of all there was no need for all of the stupid and unnecessary kissing and love making in a BOLLYWOOD FILM!!!!!!!! I honestly did lose A LOT of repsect and faith in Preity after having heard about this film. First of all promoting the idea of a live-in relationship is wrong in Indian culture, living together before marriage is wrong in Indian society, as it should be, having sex before marriage is wrong, and this film just went against all of that and I didn't really like that aspect of it, I'm sorry to have to say. Preity should stick to doing actual worthwhile films like VEER~ZAARA and Kal Ho Naa Ho and not movies like this, please no more.

"I will never let go, Jack. I'll never let go."-Rose DeWitt Bukater From TITANIC (1997)

[–] cykchic 18 years ago

Well, sure yeah, the indian culture is pretty conservative. For that matter, most Asian cultures are. But to be completely honest, while I understand the hype over the pre-marital sex and stuff, the world is changing and the younger generations are becoming more open. Whether this is good or bad is up to debate, but for sure, pre-marital sex or cohabitation isn't traditional way to go but that is not to say it is unrealistic in today's society.

so yeah, this thread is blown way out of proportion. you have to applaud the film for trying to show the younger generation as they really are.

(while I'm at it, I actually didn't like the film. It was kinda boring for me... but then again, I watched it in the middle of the night, so that could be it as well).

[–] Rook8888 18 years ago

Wasn't the idea that both Saif and Preity had left Indian because to puruse their own dreams (Saif - to be a chef, Preity - avoid marriage and do medicine)?

At any rate, it's not promoting anything in Indian culture. They just happen to be Indians living in Australia.

[–] simian_ninja 18 years ago

"It was so stupid, OBVIOUSLY if you live with a guy he's going to have sex with you!"

I live with girls and haven't slept with any of them and I don't want to either. Also, you make it sound as if the girl has no say as to whether she wants to have sex with the guy they are living with.

"I honestly did lose A LOT of repsect and faith in Preity after having heard about this film."

Why would you lose respect for an actress who is exploring new territory within cinema? If anything she should be applauded for it. It's just to bad that as an actor, she's not really a revelation at all.

"First of all promoting the idea of a live-in relationship is wrong in Indian culture, living together before marriage is wrong in Indian society, as it should be, having sex before marriage is wrong."

There's nothing wrong with a live in relationship or living together before marraige at all and it can be beneficial to both individuals as it allows them to see if they can actually live with each other.

And if you're really dead set against this, why would you quote Titanic? It's about a woman that cheats on her fiance.

[–] catherine2828 18 years ago

And if you're really dead set against this, why would you quote Titanic? It's about a woman that cheats on her fiance.

LOL! have no idea why but that just cracked me up!

premarital sex, affairs, lies, all on one gigantic ship

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] DreamyGirl247 17 years ago

Um because if you knew sh it about TITANIC you would know that Rose was being FORCED to marry Cal, she didn't love him, in fact she loathed him and despised him because he didn't respect her and he treated her as if women should be seen and not heard and treated her as a possession instead of a real human being. Gee, I don't know somehow leaving a man who treats you like trash and then thinks that love is buying you diamonds only as opposed to being with someone whom you truly love isn't quite the same thing as a live-in relationship being morally wrong! Next time debate something more intelligently and critically before attempting to insult me and make an ass out of yourself. And as for the other fool, the comment was absolutely not funny in anyway.

"I will never let go, Jack. I'll never let go."-Rose DeWitt Bukater From TITANIC (1997)

[–] medusaslair 17 years ago

I find it offensive how you're throwing all these insults around like living together is "morally wrong" without giving any clear reasons as to why this is...

"They were like night and day; so different, yet each defined by the others' existence."

[–] DreamyGirl247 17 years ago

Why don't you as Preity Zinta herself? She also said so in an interview about Salaam Namaste about how live-in relationships are morally wrong and that she's never had one and she doesn't agree with them.

"I will never let go, Jack. I'll never let go."-Rose DeWitt Bukater From TITANIC (1997)

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] 17 years ago

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[–] medusaslair 17 years ago

Care to link that interview? Not that I particularly care what she thinks, but that's an interesting thing for her to say.

To the person who started this thread; what happened between the two main characters in this movie would be VERY far fetched in an INDIAN society. But I think it pays to keep in mind that the movie was set in Melbourne and the two characters in question were seemingly entrenched in the "Western" culture (I mean, one of Ambar's best friend's an Anglo Aussie and both changed their names to make them more "English"). On top of that is the fact that they were basically estranged from their respective families - hence the reason we never got to officially 'meet' them and why Ambar and Nick made no mention of their families. So having said that, I don't think it's unrealistic giving the setting of the movie and the characters' background.

Although, this was still a barely average movie... probably slightly above average by Bollywood standards (in MY opinion, feel free to disagree here as I'm no Bollywood expert). However, there were lots of things about it that WERE very unrealistic, e.g. the circumstances surrounding Ron's marriage, why Ambar and Nick decided to move in, in the FIRST place, some of the dialogue, a VERY pregnant Ambar dancing around in the middle of the night, the delivery scene in the hospital (although I guess it was SUPPOSED to be all over-the-top, almost slapstick comedy). Those are just some things that immediately come to mind...

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Cuique suum

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] pbanerj1 15 years ago

Born and brought up in India. Had boyfriends and did the deed with them. No big deal, we weren't exactly screaming from the roofs. We took necessary precautions and that's that. Just because you think Indian culture is one way, doesn't make it gospel. Culture is relative and all-encompassing. Please don't try and speak for all Indians. If this morally offends you, then simply don't watch it. Stop ranting about your righteous indignation.

[–] bloomplume 17 years ago

you need to understand that this isn't JUST for India only.
there are going to be VAST varieties of movies from Bollywood.
one film, sooner or later, is going to have to modernize themselves.

the whole fun about a movie, is seeing something you wouldn't imagine being done.
the whole way that the relationship was handled, is how many people live their lives today.
regardless of being in India, Canada or Japan.
sure, Asians, including East Indians, Japaneze, Chinese etc, love to have large families, it's the basis of their life.

but the world is changing, within a few years, you'll have a generation who will go along with the whole 'big family' concept until they can make their own choice, and that basis will slowly start to tarnish.

i'm not just a boy with bad ideas

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] jassi042002 17 years ago

hah are u kidding me. kank was an awfullll movie. worst shiet ever. fuekin retardish movie ever