大象传媒

Is a Bollywood film the right place to tackle the issue of caste discrimination?

A new Bollywood film which looks at the issue of caste-based education quotas has angered some low-caste groups in India. They're unhappy at the way Aarakshan has portrayed them. They've also been critical of the casting of Saif Ali Khan, who has royal lineage, as a lower caste Hindu. The film was initially banned in several Indian states.

Does this surprise you? Do Bollywood audiences simply not want to watch films that look at difficult issues? Or are critics of the film being over sensitive?

And what do you think of the quota system which the film looks at? The policy reserves over twenty two per cent of university seats for lower caste and tribal members. But more recently an additional twenty seven per cent of seats have been reserved for people who fall into other disadvantaged groups. Do you think this sort of positive discrimination ever works? Or does it simply cause more friction between the different social groups?

Later, have you ever wondered how difficult it would be to find love if you're over 50? How would you feel if your 50+ year old parent went to a 'padlock' party?