Stop using the word Bollywood: Om Puri, Naseer

(Published in The Times of India, The DNA and others papers)

By Prasun Sonwalkar

L to R: Om Puri, Naseeruddin Shah, Lord Desai, Pervaiz Alam, Babli Sharma, Monika Kapil Mohta and Jagmohan Mundhra

London, July 2 (IANS): The word 'Bollywood', coined initially by the western news media to refer to the Hindi cinema, is derogatory and humiliating, according to reputed actors Naseeruddin Shah and Om Puri.

The two actors spoke their minds about the widely used word, 'Bollywood', when they were honoured by the London-based organisation, India-EU Film Initiative, to a packed audience at the Nehru Centre here on Sunday night.

India produces the largest number of films in the world. The word 'Bollywood' is used to refer to Hindi cinema originating in Mumbai, formerly Bombay. Over time, the word has come to refer to not only the Hindi cinema but also to the entire Indian film industry. The word is coined on the lines of 'Hollywood'.

Speaking at the function on the theme of 'Life and Times in Indian Cinema', Shah and Puri attacked the western media for calling them 'Bollywood actors'.

They said the Indian film industry was not happy with the word 'Bollywood' as it was perceived to be derogatory and humiliating. They said they were disgusted at its usage in the media.

"The term Bollywood was used to mock us by the western press. And it's just an indication of our own idiocy that we still use it," said Shah, a winner of several national and international awards.

Puri, the recipient of the 'Order of the British Empire' for his brilliant acting, said in an emotional voice: "Bollywood-whenever western people refer to it, they mean Hindi films, they say 'Oh those song and dance films'. So it is a derogatory term. These terms are created by media."

Cautioning the Indian media against using the word 'Bollywood', Shah said: "Now the Mumbai film industry refers to itself as Bollywood. It's like being called an idiot all your life and then making it your name," he said.

Lord Meghnad Desai, renowned economist and film buff, honoured Shah and Puri with Roman Atticus trophies on behalf of the India-EU Film Initiative. The event was presided over by noted film director Jagmohan Mundhra who is currently working with the two actors in his film 'Shoot on Sight', set to release in 2008.

Pervaiz Alam, director of India-EU Film Initiative, who interviewed the two actors on stage, said "This is the reason we've started distancing away from the term 'Bollywood' as more and more film-makers and actors from India are telling us not to call them 'Bollywood', a term, that they often find patronising.

"Also, the term Bollywood has caused much consternation among the film-makers who produce cinema in India's other languages such as Tamil, Telugu and Bengali."

The word 'Bollywood' is derogatory: Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri

(Published by IBN-CNN, Deccan Herald, Frontline, Hindu and other papers)

By HS Rao

London, PTI: "The term Bollywood was used to mock us by the western press. And it's just an indication of our own idiocy that we still use it," said Naseeruddin Shah.

India's two versatile actors Naseeruddin Shah and Om Puri have vehemently protested use of the term 'Bollywood' to describe the Indian film industry, saying it was perceived to be "derogatory" and "humiliating".

Both the award-winning actors, who would turn 57 this year, were speaking at a function 'Life and Times in Indian Cinema' at the Nehru Centre here organised by the UK-based film organisation India-EU Film Initiative, to honour them.

Lord Meghnad Desai, renowned economist and film buff, honoured Shah and Puri with Roman Atticus trophies.

Jagmohan Mundhra, noted film director, presided over the function which was a packed gathering.

Attacking the western media for calling them 'Bollywood actors' they said Indian film industry was not happy with the term Bollywood as it was perceived to be derogatory and humiliating.

They said they hate to be called Bollywood actors. They also urged the film community to take notice of the issue.

"The term Bollywood was used to mock us by the western press. And it's just an indication of our own idiocy that we still use it," said Naseeruddin Shah, a winner of several national and international awards.

Om Puri, who received an Order of British Empire(OBE) for his acting talent from the British Queen, said "Bollywood, whenever western people refer to it, they mean Hindi films, they say 'Oh those song and dance films'. So it is a derogatory term. These terms are created by media."

Shah also urged the Indian media not to use the term 'Bollywood'. "Now Bombay film industry refers to itself as Bollywood. It's like being called an idiot all your life and then making it your name," he said, adding "If you want to be a good citizen, first start stopping at the red light."

In India 'Bollywood' is generally used to refer to the Hindi cinema that originates from India's commercial capital Mumbai, formerly Bombay. In the western world the whole Indian film industry is clubbed together as 'Bollywood', rhyming with 'Hollywood'.

The Director of India-EU Film Initiative Pervaiz Alam, who interviewed the actors on stage later said "This is the reason we've started distancing from the term 'Bollywood' as more and more film-makers and actors from India are telling us not to use the term 'Bollywood'.

"Also, the term Bollywood has caused much consternation among the film-makers who produce cinema in India's other languages such as Tamil, Telugu and Bengali."