‘Too much Bollywood, where is Sachin, Kalam in Phir mile sur?’

NEW DELHI - “Phir mile sur”, the new version of the vibrant music video of 1988 showcasing the myriad colours and hues of India, features over 65 prominent faces from various walks of life, but viewers are critical of an overdose of Bollywood and exclusion of legends like Sachin Tendulkar and former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

The 16-minute-long video is available on Youtube site and surfers thronged it after it was unveiled Tuesday on the occasion of the 61st Republic Day. They have posted their reactions too. Many say it has been dominated by Bollywood personalities and exclusion of iconic Tendulkar or Abdul kalam eclipses the true essence of national integration.

“I don’t understand what those Bollywood people are doing in there? It’s like India is just about Bollywood. They could have shown all these Khans (Salman, Shah Rukh and Aamir) in a frame like they showed in the old song. And no sports heroes, no political leaders, no one… this was like another film song. Very disappointing,” posted surfer named as sandhu2111 soon after the video was unveiled.

Another one said: “The old one was more loved by us… this video is more of Bollywood. National icons like Sachin Tendulkar, scientist like Kalamji (A.P.J. Abdul Kalam) are not there, instead Deepika Padukone is showing her legs.”

“How can Deepika’s legs help us to initiate the national integritation feeling… Should have cast more national heroes who made us proud… guys, words from Sachin is more mass appealing than Deepika, Karan Johar and Abhishek Bachchan,” said the post.

There, indeed, seems to be an overdose of Bollywood in “Phir mile sur”, with not only megastar Amitabh Bachchan but his son Abhishek, daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai along with Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor, Shilpa Shetty and Juhi Chawla featuring in it.

Viewers feel the video has not done justice to national icons.

“Where are the fighters like Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar? Where is our eminent scientist A.P.J Abdul Kalam? Where are our prize-winning authors? Is ‘Mile sur’ only for artistes? What is Deepika Padukone doing showing her legs. Sania Mirza should have been there. Where is Vishwanathan Anand, Leander Paes, Rajyavardhan Rathore?” posted a surfer.

“However, I appreciate the message on women’s education, women empowerment and Salman’s effort with deaf and dumb,” added the surfer.

Another added: “Whoever made this music video should note that India is not only about Bollywood. The makers of the video have definitely not done justice to the title ‘Mile sur mera tumhaara’. Parts attached to Deepika, Ash-Abhi, Ranbir and SRK make no sense and are just forced into the video. There are a few bright aspects as well in the form of parts attached to Priyanka, Salman, Mahesh Babu and Aamir.”

Some have commented on the wardrobe of the celebs.

“Taking into account the nature of the video, the least the people featured in it could have done was to dress appropriately. The old video was really special! The new one is just an attempt, that’s all.”

“Aren’t there any other great personalities other than movie actors and musicians in India? It’s a shame not having personalities like Abdul Kalam, Ratan Tata, Ambanis in this song,” said a surfer.

The new video, “Phir mile sur”, travels to 15 locations with over 68 known personalities, be it Bollywood’s macho man Salman Khan or badminton ace Saina Nehwal or musician A. Sivamani. From beaches to deserts, from mosques and temples to high rises, it gives a feel of modern India.

Each artiste speaks of a cause and the video is shot at places which have historic value and significance. Amitabh Bachchan has featured both in the original and in the new one.

Corporate couple Arti and Kailash Surendranath have produced “Phir mile sur”.