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This is a critique of the movie "Call me by your name". It has a few plot details that may be spoilers, if you have not seen the movie.  On the same weekend when my city of birth, Mumbai, was observing the Annual LGBT Pride, I happened to watch "Call me by your name". Interesting coincidince: while the pride represents the struggle for a legal, dignified status for the gay community of my motherland India, the film is the epitome of mainstream celebration of the acknowledgement, awareness and acceptance at a global level. While I was convincing my buddies on watching this movie, a new American friend, corrected me that I mustn't call it a "Gay" love story, but a love story. Touché! Heteronormativity is either the curse of ignorance or a scared man's camouflage. This intrinsic need to outrightly dismiss any alternative viewpoint on intimate matters of sexuality today is as absurd as those who once laughed at the thought of the earth bein...

Whats the whole poverty porn debate about? What really is the fuss? Are we upset at the display of poverty? Or are we upset about portrayal of India? Or are we simply upset that a movie which is a favorite to win the Oscar for the best film is based on a character life sees the downside of India? What really are we upset about? Why was it not an issue when Lagaan was nominated? Why was it not an issue when Deepa Mehtas water was nominated? Is it the importance of the category then that has upset us? What really has upset us? Are we not in the midst of this vague debate forgetting that this is infact a very well made film? Danny Boyles Slumdog Millionaire is very rich cinema. It makes you empathise for its characters. The directorial genius that oozes out of all the visual metaphors of the movie is commendable. I like this film for what it is – a film. No reasons to get personal about it. IF it were only about showing poverty in india and ensuring the film becomes a hit, why haven’t fil...