The movie is like a Super-deluxe Veg -Thali that one gets in a star restaurant. It’s Veg because there is no sex and violence , supposedly non-veg ingredients of a tamasic food. This is a Rajasic thali, a King’s meal with all ingredients one could think of, overflowing with Desi Ghee ( Emotions!). Such a configuration of rich food cannot be said to be healthy, but it surely is tempting and tasty as well as expensive! Even though the sensation of taste lasts only for a few seconds till the food passes beyond the tongue, the fact remains we all are slaves of tongue!
Indians have a Thali psyche, and the thali syndrome dominates our philosophy in every walk of life.All the superhit films right from Sholay to K3G have had all ingredients of a deluxe thali. Emotions, tear jerkers, dose of patriotism, homesick expat Indians, karva chauth and other rituals, hummable songs, well choreographed dances, dazzling costumes, huge-mind boggling sets, melodrama, heavy dialogues, wit, humour, exotica, shoots abroad, sharp contrasts, irony, tragedy, glamour, glitz and what not, K3G has it all. Johar’s key mantra is emotional blackmail, he sinks the hook into the emtions of senty Indian audiences and doesn’t let go!
Jaya still remains best at emoting, Kajol as a bubbly, naïve country side gal is charming, Kareena as a sizzling bimbo with an attitude is the teekha achaar, SRK for a change is subdued, elegant and matured, Bachan is his usual self. There is nothing much to mention about any specifics.
One thing which stuck me is, globalization has meant Americanization all over the world.American life- style, values, products & attitudes have spread right from Jeans, Coke, Burgers&fries, baseball caps, sneakers to the almighty greenback. Similarly, ever since the economic liberalisation in India, Punjabisation has started all over in a big way! Punjabi food, right from Tandoori roti, dal makhani, chhole to butter chicken are now devoured all over India. With films like DDLJ, DTPH, Gadar, and now K3G, the so-called Punjabi culture ( Punjabi and Culture? Isn’t it a contradiction of terms?) of loud, garishly colored dazzling dresses, Bhangra-pop, baraat-dancing, marriage rituals, karva chauth and other traditions, ostentatious weddings etc have become very popular.Every hit song must have a few punjabi words. Even the language films are using these ingredients as standard masala.
Isn’t it ironical that such a vast country of ours with a rich tapestry of cultures, languages, literature, traditions and customs are swamped by Punjabism! Is it because the producer-directors of all such block busters, Chopras, Johars, Ghais, Deols, happen to be punjabis? Or is there some other reason? Will this flood-tide submerge and swamp all other cultures? It is an issue worth thinking about.