07-03-2007, 11:44 PM
<b>Calling us Bollywood is derogatory: Naseeruddin, Om</b><!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->"The term Bollywood was used to mock us by the western press. And it's just an indication of our own idiocy that we still use it," said Naseeruddin Shah, a winner of several national and international awards.
Om Puri, who received an Order of British Empire (OBE) for his acting talent from the British Queen, said "Bollywood, whenever western people refer to it, they mean Hindi films, they say 'Oh those song and dance films'. So it is a derogatory term. These terms are created by media."
Shah also urged the Indian media not to use the term 'Bollywood'.
"Now Bombay film industry refers to itself as Bollywood. It's like being called an idiot all your life and then making it your name," he said, adding "If you want to be a good citizen, first start stopping at the red light."
The Director of India-EU Film Initiative Pervaiz Alam, who interviewed the actors on stage later said "This is the reason we've started distancing from the term 'Bollywood' as more and more film-makers and actors from India are telling us not to use the term 'Bollywood'.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Finally, they are raising voice but they are still off. In reality, Western Media/country considers Indian Cinema as low class, low with content and story line. Recently I have started watching Korean cinema; in every aspect they are far better than Indian Cinema, whether itâs content, cinematography or sets.
Om Puri, who received an Order of British Empire (OBE) for his acting talent from the British Queen, said "Bollywood, whenever western people refer to it, they mean Hindi films, they say 'Oh those song and dance films'. So it is a derogatory term. These terms are created by media."
Shah also urged the Indian media not to use the term 'Bollywood'.
"Now Bombay film industry refers to itself as Bollywood. It's like being called an idiot all your life and then making it your name," he said, adding "If you want to be a good citizen, first start stopping at the red light."
The Director of India-EU Film Initiative Pervaiz Alam, who interviewed the actors on stage later said "This is the reason we've started distancing from the term 'Bollywood' as more and more film-makers and actors from India are telling us not to use the term 'Bollywood'.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Finally, they are raising voice but they are still off. In reality, Western Media/country considers Indian Cinema as low class, low with content and story line. Recently I have started watching Korean cinema; in every aspect they are far better than Indian Cinema, whether itâs content, cinematography or sets.