Things That Bang

Here is the thing about the much talked about movie - Bhoothnath – Amitabh Bachchan did a great role as the ghost obsessed with his house, Juhi Chawla acted well as the 'much suffering always on the move' wife, Banku was the mischievous imp and Shahrukh Khan overacted as usual, while managing to look suave in his guest appearance but it was watching little tots dressed as hip hoppers and cheerleaders or little Fergies in a song that made me shift uneasily in my seat.

Like any other parent, I am used to seeing my little daughter grab my purse, wear my sandals and act like a grown up, but if she happens to gyrate and shake her hips like Mallika Sherawat or shimmy like the cheerleaders nowadays at the IPL cricket matches, I would hang my head in shame as a parent.

But it seems this Bollywood virus is quite contagious amongst the current breed of parents. There are specific dance instructors who hold workshops where tots are taught Bollywood dance steps, wear skanky clothes and perform for the proud parents.

It seemed the audience found more reason to say Aaeeyo when Anthony, the street bum, took a swig of alcohol but no reason to blink seeing little tots do dance steps that screamed sexuality loud and clear. They seemed more offended by drunken behavior.

There is much reason for us to be disturbed if such trends are allowed to take root. We used to find little girls dressed as little Britneys to be horrific but now it’s being promoted in India as well. Where is our censor board? Where are the women organizations screaming morality and claiming this is against Indian values this time around? Is no one going to protest that we are taking away their childhoods too soon? Are we to have desi ‘Miss Little Sunshines’ soon?

For Christ sakes - eight year olds wearing torn leggings, skanky tube tops and minis that barely cover their bottoms is not okay whether in a kids movie or in adult movies.

While leaving the theater, I wondered why otherwise such a sweet movie left such a bitter taste in my mouth. Take that song out and the movie would be a pleasure to take the tots to.