Defamation Case against Rahman, Anil Kapoor


PTI

Patna, Jan 21: An office bearer of a slum dwellers' body has filed a defamation case against music director AR Rahman and actor Anil Kapoor alleging that the award winning film Slumdog Millionaire calls Indians dogs and slum dwellers slum dogs.

In a complaint filed before a local court here, Tapeshwar Vishwakarma, general secretary of Slum-dwellers Joint Action Committee, has alleged that the film depicted slum-dwellers in bad taste as it used the derogatory and objectionable title Slumdog Millionaire thus calling Indians dogs and slum dwellers slum dogs, which is defamatory.

While posting the case for hearing on February 5, chief judicial magistrate Raghvendra Kumar Singh directed Vishwakarma to produce evidence in support of his complaint.

The meaning of Slumdog Millionaire in Hindi is the millionaire dog of slum-dwellers, Vishwakarma alleged, adding that such a name was a violation of human rights and honour.

Vishwakarma said he has already approached the national and state human rights commissions for necessary action against Rahman and Kapoor, who portrays the role of a game show host in the film.

Slumdog Millionaire, which tells the rags-to-riches tale of an orphan from a Mumbai slum, won four Golden Globe awards, including one for Rahman, and has been nominated for 11 BAFTAs.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Farhan, Chennai/London

    Sun, Jan 25 2009

    Like Janet said, Kuttey (gali key kuttay..,Kameenay, and Keeday are so common in Hindi movies.Now when no one has a problem when same words are said in Hindi, we have a HUUUGE problem when said in English!! I understand this person might have been hurt by the statement, but why didnt he raise an issue earlier! Why only pick this issue coz thh movie has become famous! The movie must be applauded for having shown reality to the extent that it hurts many, and at the same time it gives inspiration and hope to many more.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • bharath shetty, Kateel-USA

    Thu, Jan 22 2009

    I felt "LAGAAN" was better movie better than "SlumdogMillionaire". It really projected the emotions, tough life, truth and evoked lots of audiance. Still it failed at Oscar. Is that because INDIAN MADE Movie or It projected right perspective of history? Just curious

    DisAgree [1] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ethan, Mangalore/Florida

    Thu, Jan 22 2009

    Laveena Dantis that was a good one "Indian Worms" that really had me in stitches you have flair for writing we need more of your kind, then these nitwits and a bunch of losers.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Clive, Mumbai/ Kuwait

    Fri, Jan 23 2009

    I do ot understand the noise being made against the movie when actually the movie depicts reality. It is true that people live in slums and many of those who live there lead a poverty stricken life. We should not be fazed by reality buttry to bring about an end to this poverty.

    There are so many slums around the airport in Mumbai which pose a security hazard. When will the govt do something to address this issue? Please dont criticise the movie instead criticise the people in power who do nothing ot address these issues

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  • Victoria, Sydney

    Fri, Jan 23 2009

    India has a long way to go. It has to first break through the barriers of age old thinking and narrow minded perspectives. The minute one starts pointing blames and accusations, its one step away from progress. As much time is wasted on trivial matters, while the main issue remains unchanges and unresolved ! "Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit Where the mind is led forward by Thee into ever-widening thought and action Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake" Rabindranath Tagore

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  • AR, UK

    Fri, Jan 23 2009

    The movie is fantastic . Unfortunately in the process the slums of Mumbai got exposed. That is the sad reality. Everone one in this world is aware of India's or China's economic progress as it is repeatedly screened in various BBC programmes here but at the same time there is extreme poverty in India ,China or Africa and the whole woprld knows it. They also know about the widening gap between rich and poor. Sadly in India we havent paid much attention to it for long and charity is something that is still a baby in India .

    Except a few Christain missionaries no one really has helped to really bothered about the poor.That applies to me as well(I am a Hindu) but I have learnt a lot after coming to this country and I actively take part in Charity in India now.But things have improved slightly in that respect. A stark example is one of India's leading businessman building a 27 storied skyscraper with servants while people starve around him. He should have learnt a lot from Bill Gates.

    Now people like this Viswakarma trust could do a lot by improving the life of these poor rather than making a fuss just because the outside world have come to know about India's bad record in tackling child labour,child abuse,poverty etc.Let them first sort out Bollywood which glorifies smoking,display of wealth,makes fun of foreigners ,makes fun of disabled people etc.There sre some some good Indian movies made in other languages .

    Unfortunately the competition is immense. In literature Indian authors have done well. Many Hindus I met recently were angry at Adiga for bringing out the casteism in India.I think rather than protesting they should help to eradicate this evil.India has definitely made progess but a lot more is to be done.

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  • Jerome, Mangalore

    Thu, Jan 22 2009

    All those who feel ashamed of our slums,especially who live confortably outside India and who need India only to show off their wealth earned outside,please ask yourself how much you have contributed to erade the poverty of our country.

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  • ABS, Mangalore, Mangalore

    Thu, Jan 22 2009

    I am not surprised on this matter as I was expecting this kind of reaction from our fellow Indians. We are very good in this kind of comments and creating issues. I appreciate what Richard Boyle has done on this film about partraying the reality, why don't you people take the moral of the film rather than playing with words like dog, cat etc. Is this not what is happening in India, aren't we ashamed at ourselves in having a slum committee too, can't we get rid of these kind of slums and give basic needs of accommodation to our below poverty citizens of India, why don't we think this way and proceed. Go and look at your kitchen, maybe there is no food to cook, but you are active in these kind of things, let us do what we can for a living rather than interfering in such matters.

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  • vignesh prabhu, mangalore

    Thu, Jan 22 2009

    CHINA HAS MORE SLUMS THAN INDIA... BUT THEY ARE NOT SHOWING THAT TO THE WORLD ...WHY SHOULD WE SHOW TO WORLD.....EXAMPLE IS OLYMPICS IN CHINA....THEY JUST THROWN THE BEGGERS IN SOME AREA TO CLEAN THE AREA WHERE OLYMPICS IS TAKING PLACE

    DisAgree [1] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Victoria, Sydney

    Thu, Jan 22 2009

    Its funny how we indians think. This is a movie for crying out loud. However, though the movie is fictional, it deals with real situtations and real human emotions. We will be fooling ourselves to think otherwise. Grow up People ! Think before you ink !!

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jerome, Mangalore

    Thu, Jan 22 2009

    Yes,India has a rich culture which has not been exposed to the outside world.What media(foreign)are showing is only one side of India but not true India.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Ramesh Kulal, Viitla/Bangalore

    Thu, Jan 22 2009

    I completly agree with Ganesh. It is the same case with Aravind Adiga & Amarthya Sen who got International Awards using India's  Slums & Beggers to get their awards.

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  • Glen Pereira, Dubai, Udupi

    Fri, Jan 23 2009

    Good Movie depicted the harsh realty of slum dwellers. If anyone is objecting to it he is really a crack. Looking at this I came to know things I didn't knew. Politicians and other Critics should also see this Movie and try to improve the slum dwellers rather than criticising somebody.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Kabeer Karnad, Dammam

    Thu, Jan 22 2009

    Well-done Janet Sequeira D’souza. Where is commiseration when so called upper cast people persecuting HARIJANAS? Till date, people are hesitating to approach them. The film director said, its not documentary it’s a film, but I strongly believe it’s a documentary not a film. Because 70% vicinity in India are just like shown in this film. If someone brought to notice why we get upset? Why can’t we contribute in uplifting these people instead?

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  • Purushottama, Byndoor

    Thu, Jan 22 2009

    It is true that if anything connected with India is shown in a Negative taste you can win accolades ! So to win an international award just do that!

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Ganesh, Mangalore

    Thu, Jan 22 2009

    Any book or movie which projects India as a dirty country gets award.Why Lagaan Movie did not get Oscar,because western people did not like showing Indian's great patriotism.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Janet Sequeira D'souza, Mangalore/Abu Dhabi

    Thu, Jan 22 2009

    Kutte! Kameene! Main tumhara Khoon Pee jaoonga!!!! When translated into English, what does this mean? Is it 'Your Majesty, I bow before you?'. Or when you eat a Hotdog, what do you eat? A dog which has just come out of the oven? Give me a break!! Don 't be such a hypocrite my fellow-Indian, Tapeshwar Vishwakarma! When you and your fellow-slumdwellers are being TREATED as slumdogs by your own fellow Indians, it is perfectly O.K. with you.

    But a foreigner trying to create awareness about the reality of the less fortunate, it threatens your security in your slums?(or is it rented out to another slumdog while you live in a palatial house?) If you are really worried about the welfare of your fellow-slumdwellers, don't join hands with the politicians. Instead join some NGOs who may be trying to do something for the upliftment of the slumdwellers.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Noel Pereira, Mangalore/Toronto,Canada

    Thu, Jan 22 2009

    Slum:A heavily populated urban area characterized by substandard housing and squalor. Dog: (derogatory) Someone who is morally reprehensible. Slumdog has connotations of being lowest of low living in squalor.I wish the title of the movie was called 'slumboy millionaire'( but some in society would refer to  slumboy as slum dog.But the movie proves the point slumdogs have determination & intelligence to achieve great things in life. So dont underestimate anyone.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • cynthia d'souza, dubai-uae

    Thu, Jan 22 2009

    We should concentrate on the real issues faced by the people living in the slums rather than getting offended at title. If slumdog calls for an defamation case being filed then what about the black cats do we need to file another defamation case.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • DONY LOBO, Milagres, Doha, Qatar

    Thu, Jan 22 2009

    “Dog” is certainly man’s best friend. Even best friends forget each other’s love or affection but a “Dog” (even if it’s a street dog) will never forget ……and rejoices when it sees its master or friend even after many a years. Vishwakarmaji……please throw a bone to a group of dogs and see how all of them will fight for it…….

    Vishwakarma must be smelling success and hence is motivated to fight for “a lion’s share” from the success of the movie. But let him not compare himself to the likes of Rehman and Shekar Kapoors……and in the end may not even get left overs in this great “Dog-fight”. And Sharmila Tagore in her capacity as a Censor Board official., if she feels Gazni should be an adult movie….then what about the innumerable movies which depict minority community members as prostitures, call girls or bad women and goondas, smugglers or as gagsters …..dont they also have an impact on young viewers minds…? Do you certify that such impact is good …? Your rationale is mysterious.

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  • Dharma Karkala, karkala

    Wed, Jan 21 2009

    Yes it right to filed a defamation case against music director AR Rahman. million of children living in slum if they able to touch their heart. this not good means insulting indians.

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  • Ninette, Mangalore

    Thu, Jan 22 2009

    A.R Rahman and Anil Kapoor have done a wonderful job in the movie that was appreciated around the world. These two people took over a job, did their best to complete it and have moved over to the other projects.

    People like Tapeshwar need just any reason to create problems in order to gain popularity personally. The film has brought forward quite some issues the slum dwellers and their children face on daily basis. This General Secretary along with the Joint Action Committee should make an action plan to improve slum dweller’s condition rather than filing case against artists.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Qwan Raj, mangalore

    Thu, Jan 22 2009

    I hear they call US airforce plane fights as dog fights. yes dog fights. The word dog is not derogatory at all. Learn the language then complain

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  • Anil, Kundapur

    Thu, Jan 22 2009

    I completely agree wit Nancy. If MR Vishwakarma was really interested in the betterment of the slum dwellers he could ve done better things than filing a case. This trend is familiar in India, where people go behind rich and famous .

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  • bharath shetty , Kateel-USA

    Thu, Jan 22 2009

    I watched the movie, Kind of good movie. BUT there is a usual western mentality to project "negative about India". Some kind of same old mentality shown in this movie also. Definetely the movie deserves applause (for good direction) and critisicm for far strecthed poor projection of India.

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  • shakeel, mangalore

    Thu, Jan 22 2009

    I think we indians are running short of reasons for creating trouble and unrest among the common man. Grow up or you will be out grown by some one more capable and smarter than you. shame on us! I feel we are the biggest racist in the world

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  • leena pinto, nejar santhekatte udupi

    Thu, Jan 22 2009

    I think it is a great film which brought fame and name to indians also delivered a message to the nation regarding slums and thier lifestyles. hope people of the nation stops unnecessary wastage of money and utilizes it for less oppertunist.what is there in the name? it is only a name of film. better not to personalise it.hope they can donate some of the money for the betterment of slums.

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  • Laveena Dantis, Mangalore / Bahrain

    Thu, Jan 22 2009

    Pity they didnt realize it was called that before the awards that have been showered on the movie. if it bombed in the box office nobody would have cared even if the movies was called 'indian worms' . 'Hypocrites' - thats want these type of committees should be called.

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  • mona, Manglore

    Wed, Jan 21 2009

    Yes it right to filed a defamation case against music director AR Rahman and actor Anil Kapoor because they earn mony & their respect from title of slumdog , the million of children living in slum if they able to touch their hert, then i called them "Deshdrohi"

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  • Nancy , Mumbai

    Wed, Jan 21 2009

    Dear Mr Tapeshwar Vishwakarma, Instead of complaining , you better look after the betterment of those slums and people who live there. Where were you till now?? Film got released, got awards and when it gaining some name all un-wanted remarks started coming in. By saying Dog you felt bad. Have you ever felt, in what danger the girl lives in those slums??? So please do not make an issue and look after the betterment of those people. Really no one is happy that other person is gaining success.

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  • rohan lobo, Manglore / Dubai

    Wed, Jan 21 2009

    movie is very good.. AR rehman done gr8 job, slum dwellers joint action committeemust take these things in enetertainers and boad mind.... instead of these foolish things if they do some good work then may earn for living

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