The Love Guru is Coming

I can already hear the controversy starting to brew on this one. Comedian Mike Myers, best well known for his portrayal of Austin Powers (International Man of Mystery) and Wayne Campbell (of "Wayne's World" fame) is set to star in his new movie "The Love Guru". The premise of the film is about an American raised by a family of Gurus in India. Upon reaching adulthood he returns to America in order to proliferate his teachings to his native land. Along the way he is likely to have lots of hijinks and humor because after all, this is a comedy is it not? Well already Hindu activists in America are simmering at the possibility that this film will insult Hindu culture rather than lauding it.

Now I personally haven't seen the trailer and so I'm withholding my final judgement on the film until I either see it or at least find out more about it. What many Hindus are worried about (at least in part) is that the film will only serve to create more misconceptions about our religion than anything else. Already groups are calling upon the studio (Paramount Pictures) to screen the film for Hindu groups prior to the film's release in order for them to have some say as to whether or not they feel the film is 'insulting' to Hindus or not. Now note I'm saying Hindus and not Indians because there is a distinction. Outside of the middle east, India has one of the largest Muslim populations in the world and so it isn't fair to lump all Muslims in with Hindus by calling Hindus Indians is it? But I digress. The studio has already agreed to screen the film for whatever groups wish to see the film in order to give their okay.

According to studio heads, the film is not so much about poking fun at Hindu culture as it is about the materialism and fanatacism that comes from misunderstanding something or interpreting it in a completely different way. What do I mean? Well think about it. Outside of religion, one of the most fadish parts of our society is dieting. About three years ago you couldn't go anywhere without hearing about the South Beach Diet and how it was the miracle cure for everyone. Suddenly every item in the grocery store was labeled with notices about how it fit into the grand scheme of the South Beach Diet. And tons of people (pun intended) joined the craze without fully understanding how the diet is really supposed to work. It didn't matter but it was enough to tell people that you were on the South Beach Diet for them to give you some degree of reverence and awe.

What does diet choice have to do with movies on religion? Nothing in particular but it serves to prove my point about what this movie appears to be showing. Myers' character, Guru Pitka, is not intended to be a native Hindu but rather an American raised by Hindus so there is no fear of his having a stereotypically Indian style accent that is often heard in convenience stores. While Indians and South Asians in general may bristle at that fact, it is just that, a fact. Go into most any convenience store and if it's being run by a South Asian, that accent is sure to be there in force. I think the movie will do just that, show how people cling to something that is new and unique and seems to provide guidance and answers which is what any religion is supposed to show isn't it? By poking fun at something it doesn't make it weaker or less important to those who follow it. Sure the movie may not help alleviate misconceptions about religion but when have movies ever been known to be truthful?

Even the most well-intentioned movies have to take some liberties with what they show. For good or for bad, most people learn about the world from movies so whatever they see is usually taken to be 'gospel'. Whether the movie is about religion or a society, whatever you show in the movies is usually what people remember longer. Does it matter that the actual truth may be available for everyone to see and find on their own? Not in the least. I've had the vice president of a company ask me whether there are paved roads in India. Why did he ask that? Because most every scene of India shows the Taj Mahal, snake charmers and poor people. With all that isn't it possible that there are no paved roads? Is that the truth? No, but that's what movies most often show. I don't think the film will be as bad as people are making it out to be but one never knows.