Mike Myers’ The Love Guru Pisses Off India
I’ve already mentioned that I don’t think Mike Myers’ new movie The Love Guru looks particularly funny, and it seems that there are more than a few people over in India who aren’t laughing at the joke either. In fact, they are flat out pissed off. According to LiveNews, a popular Indian news website has called for members of the Hindu faith to speak out against the film and protest its portrayal of their beliefs:
“With all the ridicule showered at our holy men and women in the film The Love Guru, we should not only brace ourselves against Hollywood comedian Mike Myers, but also assert our rights to not let aliens poke fun at us when we revere our revered ones!”
They also refer to a profile of Myers that appeared in Vanity Fair back in 1999 where he was photographed with an Indian theme. Let’s face it, comedy based on lampooning other cultures has existing for a very long time, and it’s still a very touchy issue. Certainly jokes that revolve around stereotypes are one of the laziest and most uninteresting forms of humour out there. However, at this point no one has actually seen the movie. Raja Zed, President of the Universal Society of Hinduism, is taking a slightly less reactionary approach and contacted Paramount to request a screening. They have reportedly responded, so time will tell exactly how much of the movie really is offensive to people of the Hindu faith. Based on what you’ve seen, do you think there cause for concern here, or is The Love Guru just a harmless comedy?
Comments (17)
/time will tell exactly how much of the movie really is offensive to people of the Hindu faith/
I feel like this movie will end up being more offensive to fans of comedy, to be honest.
Posted by Liz on March 17th, 2008You have to consider the source– no offense to Indian people, but a few months back they wanted to have Richard Gere arrested for kissing a Bollywood star.
Posted by Jon Rocks on March 17th, 2008“I feel like this movie will end up being more offensive to fans of comedy, to be honest.”
Well said, Liz. Well said.
Posted by Jonathan on March 17th, 2008“You have to consider the source– no offense to Indian people, but a few months back they wanted to have Richard Gere arrested for kissing a Bollywood star.”
I understand the whole kiss thing was petty, however this is no comparison to Mike Myers dressed as a Hindu holy man in the movie and mock cultural/religious elements that are held very strongly.
Posted by Vik on March 26th, 2008I wish somebody would make a danish character and make fun of danish stereotypes. But our population isn’t as attractive box-office wise as India I guess.
Posted by Henrik on March 26th, 2008to understand the source of this ire, one would need to know the reverence that is placed in certain objects, idols, deities and even Guru’s in the Hindu philosophical milieu. It’s the same with Islam, it is blasphemous to ridicule or portray the Prophet Mohammed in Human Form. Rightly or wrongly (those words are used in a western conext), PEOPLE believe and follow such belief systems.
I believe its perfectly alright to make fun of other people (with the paramount assumption that one can laugh at one’s own failings first). It is the basis of comedy and making light of the human condition. But to lampoon the object of another person’s beliefs is to have the questioning mind of a llama when it comes to a philosophic tradition that spans millennia and not truly understand the other person.
So I wish they’d make fun of the californian nutballs women that use words like kamasutra, aligning chakras and other such concepts as pick up lines at bars, all so that they can sound worldly, while not coming off as lost in the world.
God bless america (and no place else). Bring out the cash registers and the popcorn its time to make light of islam, hinduism, buddhism (insert belief system here). Call it the freedom of expression. Play ball!
Posted by Vasudev on April 3rd, 2008Differentiate between making fun of an Indian stereotype and making a mockery about Hinduism. Firstly, The only reason for one culture to get kicks out of making fun of another culture is racism. I don’t see any other reason. Secondly, mocking Indians based on their accent, food or even their dress is one-thing. Dressing up as Hindu guru, who is a revered figure in Hindu religion and then proceeding to behave obscenely is another thing. Mocking the way Hindus pray is also mocking religion. Religion is taken seriously by many and it is one thing to mock an Indian stereotype and another thing to mock the Hindu religion. The two are very different and the second one is an extremely grave issue and amounts to racism.
Posted by Manisha on April 8th, 2008“You have to consider the source– no offense to Indian people, but a few months back they wanted to have Richard Gere arrested for kissing a Bollywood star.â€
There is a saying : In Rome do as the Romans do.
If Americans expect Indian children to participate in American traditions in their schools, like on Thanksgiving, Halloween Easter, Christmas etc.. and expect Indians to behave like Americans in America, then Indians have every right to expect that an American not offend their sensibilities by behaving in a way which may be ok in his/her country but not in India. I don’t see anything wrong with expecting this.
Posted by Manisha on April 8th, 2008For westeners our religion is a CULT, and our holy priests are for your funn, is natural to people with colonialist mentallity, you think your culture is superior. DISGUSTING.
Posted by M. Patel on April 19th, 2008It’s not the ‘Love Hindu’ it’s the “Love Guru’ for heaven sakes!!!!!!
To associate one with the other and assume this silly Maharishi Mahesh Yogi-esque caricature might poison movie-goers minds into associating the two forever more is a bit touchy-feely & bordering on ridiculous.
I don’t think Sir Ben Kingsley would tarnish his reputation with any film that is as over-the-top as some are alleging.
It appears to be a harmless, silly comedy that lampoons gurus and their western followers as much as it does canadian hockey players. But you probably won’t see the latter two groups complaining or calling for a pre-screen viewing.
Probably will end up being one of those cult movies in which the faithful followers of ‘Guru Pitka’ will be obliged to insert the DVD at least 3 times a year to ease their withdrawl symptoms and tickle their funny bones.
Posted by D. Grant on May 5th, 2008Ok, so the hindus are ignorant and believe in not kissing and producing babies in front of everybody. That is because that is the way it is. The indus valley civilisation just proves beyond doubt that Indians were much more advanced in terms of drainages, roads and all the other infrastructures..whereas our european brethren (except greeks) were still naked and hadn’t even learnt to wash up after their daily morning chores. One movie (which didn’t even make fun at anybody) was The Da vinci code. The so-called developed whites who happened to be catholics didn’t take it very well, did they. ‘Ban the movie’ they said. “its blasphemous”…etc etc. Well, shove your jingoism up your you know what.
Posted by Mahesh on May 25th, 2008jews can make fun of jews, christians christians…why is it always OTHERS making fun of hindus — where are they in hollywood? in the universities teaching hinduism? muslims, jews, buddhists, christians teach their religion and have a hand in representing themselves…Hindus are not given opportunities to represent themselves. that’s the point of being upset.
Posted by mani on June 7th, 2008sir i love some one give me good suggestions
Posted by shahid on July 26th, 2008sir i love to habbiba rana
Posted by shahid on July 26th, 2008I can understand the dual nature of this forum in poiting out the positives and negatives. In the case of this movie, rather, it seems there are more neagtives surrounding the mockery and dull-humor associated with Mike Meyers’ portrayal of Guru Pitka. But please keep in mind my fellow movie critics and Hindu advocates, when it comes down to the end it’s so apparent that it’s JUST a movie. Remember to take life with a pinch of salt….. meaning, it’s good to laugh at ourselves (not others)! We become humbled by doing so.
Posted by San on October 30th, 2008I myself am a Hindu living who has been living in the US all my life. I am proud of my Indian heritage, as well as being an American. It seems Mike Meyers is slowing down in the comedy sector, but none the less, he is still one of the funniest actors in present day Hollywood. Being a Hindu, I don’t see this film as a negative mark on Hindu principles. It’s purely the product of American brilliance in that Hollywood knows how to make a dull situation atleast “somewhat appealing” for a casual conversation. In my opinion, this ability to transform an idea into “somewhat appealing” (at the capitalistic level of minimal laughter) is the beauty of the American Hollywood filming industry. Would I watch a sequel? More than likely not!
I’m Irish, the whole world laughs at us, we laugh with them!!
So many non-Irish people say “Top of the morning” to us…. we don’t care and don’t take ourselves too seriously.
I am not in the slightest bit racist, but I enjoy a giggle Mike Meyers provides that, I am certain he meant no harm. Nor did the highly respected Deepak Chopra condone any offence by appearing in the film, and as mentioned before Sir Ben wouldn’t risk his sterling reputation on offending any nation.
People of India we love you, we respect your culture, we will let you giggle at our leprechauns and banshees please forgive us an innocent giggle with Meyers.
Posted by Mise on November 10th, 2008Incidentally I personally loved the rendition of Only Words which had a beautiful Indian sound with the sitar!
ooooooooops I meant to More Than Words….!!
Posted by Mise on November 10th, 2008Leave a Reply