Technoglitch
Core Member
The real 100 crores from Bollywood,,
Tanu weds manu returns
- Thread starter bhaskarkilli
- Start date
IndianMascot
Core Member
Yup. Real deserving 100 crores.
What the Mumbai Mirror critic who quit over altered movie ratings has to say about reviewing
Why have movie reviews been reduced to gold stars, pink hearts, thumbs and fluffy unicorns?
(The Mumbai Mirror film critic Rahul Desai whose rating for the film Tanu Weds Manu Returns was upgraded by the TOI newspaper in response to what the paper claimed was research and viewer feedback, has quit, he says on his Facebook page. He writes, "It's not always wise to adapt to changing systems and broken trust. Good run; time to move forward. [T]his verdict is not subject to alteration after research and viewer feedback." - Mumbai Mirror film critic quits )
In my five years as a film reviewer, there are a few things I’ve learned – at times unwillingly, as demonstrated by the unfortunate Mumbai Mirror episode – about the general outlook towards film journalism and reviewing in India.
My main lesson is that film critics aren’t looked at as independent voices anymore. They merely form another cog in the well-oiled movie publicity machine. Reviews have become extended marketing tools – a horrific reality that is slowly dawning upon journalists who aim to make a difference. The problem stems from the routine practice of rating movies – in gold stars, pink hearts, thumbs or fluffy unicorns.
While there are no right or wrong reviews, an independent argument must be free from professional compromises and future ambitions. Too many writers, for instance, use film criticism as a stepping stone to film making.
On the brighter side, here I am, having my say, even though I had to quit the Mirror. But remember that when this happens again, there might not be a voice to echo my sentiments, for practical reasons ranging from livelihood to pressure. An irreversible precedent will have been set.
Dear reader, you’re treated to a relentless barrage of numbers masquerading as a film review. That day is not far.
Read more at: What the Mumbai Mirror critic who quit over altered movie ratings has to say about reviewing
Why have movie reviews been reduced to gold stars, pink hearts, thumbs and fluffy unicorns?
(The Mumbai Mirror film critic Rahul Desai whose rating for the film Tanu Weds Manu Returns was upgraded by the TOI newspaper in response to what the paper claimed was research and viewer feedback, has quit, he says on his Facebook page. He writes, "It's not always wise to adapt to changing systems and broken trust. Good run; time to move forward. [T]his verdict is not subject to alteration after research and viewer feedback." - Mumbai Mirror film critic quits )
In my five years as a film reviewer, there are a few things I’ve learned – at times unwillingly, as demonstrated by the unfortunate Mumbai Mirror episode – about the general outlook towards film journalism and reviewing in India.
My main lesson is that film critics aren’t looked at as independent voices anymore. They merely form another cog in the well-oiled movie publicity machine. Reviews have become extended marketing tools – a horrific reality that is slowly dawning upon journalists who aim to make a difference. The problem stems from the routine practice of rating movies – in gold stars, pink hearts, thumbs or fluffy unicorns.
While there are no right or wrong reviews, an independent argument must be free from professional compromises and future ambitions. Too many writers, for instance, use film criticism as a stepping stone to film making.
On the brighter side, here I am, having my say, even though I had to quit the Mirror. But remember that when this happens again, there might not be a voice to echo my sentiments, for practical reasons ranging from livelihood to pressure. An irreversible precedent will have been set.
Dear reader, you’re treated to a relentless barrage of numbers masquerading as a film review. That day is not far.
Read more at: What the Mumbai Mirror critic who quit over altered movie ratings has to say about reviewing
