ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

Why Will Smith’s ‘Bucket List’ Episode Fails India in Many Ways

The final episode of ‘Will Smith’s Bucket List’ features Karan Johar and Ranveer Singh.

Updated
Hot on Web
5 min read
story-hero-img
i
Aa
Aa
Small
Aa
Medium
Aa
Large
Hindi Female

Will Smith’s latest Will Smith’s Bucket List episode titled ‘Bollywood Dancing’ begins exactly like you’d expect it to Smith having the time of his life in a ‘tuk-tuk’, a few mandatory colourful shots of people, the streets, and of course, the breathtaking Taj Mahal. Followed by these visuals are the usual buzzwords like “beautiful”, “culture”, and “India”, all in the same sentence. If you’ve grown up in India, this kind of a portrayal of the country through a first world lens is fairly common and after a point, you learn to let it go.

ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

Now, this is the final episode of an online video series that features Will Smith unpacking a new adventure in every episode, with efforts being made to ensure that the show remains diverse. From stand-up comedy to sky diving, Will Smith touches upon many subjects and experiences. Yet, when he finally finds his way to India to discover the enigma that is Bollywood he fails.

Philly to Bel-Air. Hollywood to Bollywood. Watch as Will Smith travels across the world to knock off one more item from his Bucket List - dance in a big budget Bollywood movie.

Posted by Will Smith's Bucket List on Wednesday, April 3, 2019
0

Clearly, from the get-go, the episode is more than just ‘Bollywood Dancing’. In a way, it’s taking a slice of Bollywood and presenting it to the entire world like a whole three-tiered fresh cream cake. Of course, living in India, one is constantly reminded of the fact that no matter how much you try, it’s impossible to do justice to the country’s rich culture and heritage. So, to reduce it to a caricature, to limit it within stereotypical boundaries influenced by the west, is more than just a shortcoming. It’s blatant ignorance.

ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

The Bollywood Experts

To understand the essence of Bollywood, Will Smith decides to meet one of industry’s most experienced filmmaker and producer, Karan Johar and actor, Ranveer Singh. In a very Koffee with Karan-esque setup, the three of them unravel mainstream Bollywood. While both Karan and Ranveer have a prolific portfolio to their merit, one can’t help but notice the lack of inclusivity in the room. Despite the ongoing debate on the existence of glass ceiling, there are no women on this educated panel chosen by Smith.

Moreover, speaking to just Ranveer Singh doesn’t do justice to the variety of films Bollywood churns out every year. In 2018, both Padmaavat and Badhaai Ho performed well. Yet someone like Ayushmann Khurrana or Rajkummar Rao actors who do a lot of low-budget content-driven Bollywood films didn’t even find a mention in the episode.

The final episode of ‘Will Smith’s Bucket List’ features Karan Johar and Ranveer Singh.
Ranveer Singh and Will Smith talk about all things Bollywood.
(Photo Courtesy: Twitter)
ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

“Bollywood Heroes = Ram”, Really?

During the conversation with Will Smith, Ranveer Singh does get some things right. For example, when he uses the analogy of a thali to explain the composition of a typical Bollywood film peppered with elements from all genres. Or when he explains the “paisa vasool” mentality of the Indian audience. However, at one point, Will Smith asks Ranveer Singh, “How often are films based on religious texts?” to which, Ranveer responds by saying that all Bollywood heroes are inspired from the Hindu God Ram as he’s full of “ideal virtues”.

If anything, this conversation only adds to the misinformed worldview of India as a “Hindu nation”. Moreover, if someone were to objectively look at the films Bollywood produces today does Ranveer Singh’s explanation even stand true? For example, last year’s most popular film was Andhadhun, see what I mean?

The final episode of ‘Will Smith’s Bucket List’ features Karan Johar and Ranveer Singh.
Will Smith performs religious rituals in Haridwar.
(Photo Courtesy: Facebook)

While Hindu religion automatically becomes the foundation for Bollywood films, according to this episode, other religions are not even a part of the dialogue. It’s not until the end of the episode that Will Smith finally acknowledges that India might just be a land of multiple faiths. But visually, his depiction of spirituality fails the 1.32 billion people of India.

ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

A Visit to Haridwar for More of Exotic India

After an amusing imitation of Ranveer Singh’s pelvic thrust dance step in the song Tatad tatad, Will Smith is suddenly struck by a deeply religious epiphany. To understand not just Bollywood but also the “ideals of the Hindu faith”, Smith decides to visit Haridwar. Firstly, Haridwar is where people go to worship the Hindu God Shiva, not Ram (which is what Ranveer Singh mentioned to Smith earlier). Although, that’s soon explained to the viewers.

Here, Will Smith is familiarised with the omnipotent nature of one particular Hindu God and how, without his blessings, one can’t create art. Smith pretty much gets a crash course in Hindu rituals. His voiceover interspersed with unoriginal shots of people participating in religious rites along the banks of River Ganga is not only a skewed portrayal of India’s diversity, but also completely pointless because at no point is the relationship between art and religion truly explained.

ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

Bollywood Dancing, Finally

ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

In a twenty-minute video, there’s only so much Will Smith can do. But there’s also so much more he could have done. He could have spoken to writers from the industry, or even just experienced the backstage chaos of a Bollywood film. He could have introduced the world to a whole different side of Bollywood.

Perhaps the only redeeming bit of the video is Smith finally achieving what he set out to dancing in a big budget Bollywood movie. Watching him shake a leg with the cast of Student of the Year 2 might be all the joy you need today.

ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)

Read Latest News and Breaking News at The Quint, browse for more from entertainment and hot-on-web

Topics:  Ranveer Singh   Karan Johar   Will Smith 

Published: 
Speaking truth to power requires allies like you.
Become a Member
3 months
12 months
12 months
Check Member Benefits
Read More
×
×