Hindu campaigners concerned over upcoming comedy movie “Love Guru”
Hindu groups around the world have expressed concern about upcoming Mike Myers comedy film, “Love Guru”, which is due for release on 20 June 2008.
Campaigners are contacting film distributor associations, exhibitor groups and theatre owners in various parts of the world, including the United States, to urge them not to distribute or screen the movie until Paramount Pictures, the producer of the…
May 18th, 2008 at 11:40 am
Having seen only the trailer thus far, I personally am reminded of the ridiculous furore over Guru Maharishi Yogi in Goodness Gracious Me. Despite what VHP and other groups who protested to the BBC may have claimed, my personal view is that such ridiculous caricatures are obvious enough not to be misread by the vast majority as being in any way a reflection on Hinduism. What they do reflect, which I think is important to point out, is the actual charlatans who do pose as swamis to steal huge amounts of money from unsuspecting and naive westerners. As for the movie, I have never been a big Mike Myers fan - I found the small clips of Austin Powers that I did see more annoying than amusing. Despite the presence of the gorgeous Jessica Alba, I will probably not be watching this movie, not because I have any problem with its subject matter, but simply because I do not enjoy Mike Myers movies (except, of course, Shrek!)
May 18th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
I do believe those protesting against this movie (or for that matter those protesting against other imaginary insults against Hindus and their faith) are self-serving popularity seeking illiberal bigots.
They are missing the point. If this movie presents a Hindu Guru in a less than idealistic light then that’s fine. Any interpretation that this presents an attack on everything Hindu is clearly wrong.
Even assuming the worst - that this is a deliberate attempt to ridicule the Hindu faith - it is bound to fail. By protesting loudly all we are doing is provoking wide interest that the movie might otherwise have not enjoyed. Salman Rushdie owes at least as much to his detractors as to his literary abilities for all his celebrity status.
If Individuals are angered by this movie then please don’t see it or talk about it any further. If Hindu organisations want to protest about it then please note that you are not speaking for me - and I suspect the only reason the leaders of such organisations are protesting is because they think it will give them some publicity. That’s cheap. I’d respect such leaders more if they did something positive rather than campaign negatively against someone else’s creative efforts.
May 18th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
This movie looks awesome to be honest. I’m glad it is going to be checked by members of the Hindu community to make sure it is sensitive on some Hindu issues. Otherwise I think it is going to be such a good movie! I personally found the guru from Goodness Gracious Me really hilarious. Maybe this is just my sense of humour.
May 18th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
It is only a movie made in humour of over-emphasis upon the term “guru” itself. For whatever it is the intention of the directors and the crew of the movie alltogether is NOT mallicious at all. At least not as bad as Akbar ka Jodha or JoddhaAkbar………Enjoy life, its so so short.
May 18th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Love Guru:
Comedy about daily life stresses - the humanity is short of love, numbed by all this, that and the other. “I”; “me”; “mine”, “my”; false ownerships are typical of bigotries based on guru-heroism. At least the movie is looking at it in a sarcastic sense conveying a message of institutionalised ‘guru-dharma’ in ‘laughters’! Well, I would want to watch it for the sake of its humour, smartly presented choreography and funny haha storylines. No one can stop me.
May 18th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
I don’t think is nice to submit a bitter critic over someone else apart of this movie in this forum, so, we should dismiss the critics over David Frawley, a good teacher and practicioner.[which have now been deleted - MODERATOR]
I regard to this movie, come on guys!, people in general are not so stupid and beside that, the ones who will enjoy this kind of movie is in most part the kind of people whom never will approach transcendentalism and hinduism seriously. Don’t worry too much about who’s gonna watch this movie.
Don’t forget Jesus Christ Superstar and many others…
May 18th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
All advertising is good advertising! Mike Myer’s parodies are so over the top that he is simply poking fun at the stereotype Indian guru. Does this hurt any REAL Indian guru? No! Does it hurt any FALSE Indian guru? Well, yes, it could, because people will be more careful when checking out the teachings of gurus they come in contact with. Myers by presenting an obviously FALSE guru is not telling us that there are NO REAL gurus. Counterfeit money means that there IS REAL currency. However when someone shows you a counterfeit bill, you become more aware of what REAL money looks like and how to avoid the FAKE stuff. Therefore I say laugh and enjoy the movie! It may even make people more curious about Hinduism and what it really teaches.
May 19th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
I think these Hindu groups (as well as other religious groups) don’t understand satire. I mean the film is dedicate to George Harrison, a committed Iskcon devotee. Read this interview given by Mike Myers:
“With the guru Pitka (the name of the guru in the film), after my father died, I went on a spiritual quest, and it’s very hard when you’re a comedian to go on a spiritual quest, because your natural instinct is to be cynical. But when you do come across wisdom and things that actually make you happier, and I don’t think I’ve ever been happier in my life, [you think], “That’s an area I’d like to make a movie about.”
http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1585104/story.jhtml
So he went on a spiritual quest, he found wisdom and he’s never been happier, so he decides to make a movie about it … whats the problem?
This isn’t a delibrate attempt to malign Hindus or Hinduism at all. Passion of the Christ I’ll admit smacked of anti-semitism and Dogma was obviously just an outright mockery of Christianity. This is just completely different.
Think about this, it could end up having a positive effect on Hindus. If the movies a success then it may increase interest in Hinduism.
Lets face it there are a number of Hindu sadhus and holy men who get up to far, far worse than whats depicted in the film.
But I’ll reserve judgment until I’ve seen the film, but from what I’ve seen from the trailers I don’t see anytyhing incredibly offensive.
May 19th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Tis movie is very distasteful and will distort and denegrade the Hindus. In the end the truth always survives but the local people suffer. The film makers should be taken to task. Tolerance of ones faith does not mean that you can exploit them. extrimists in the group will create trouble and from this point of view the government should be able to stop it.
May 19th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
I watched the preview and found it quite hilarious. I would definitely like to watch the movie. I have a couple of comments for the purists including Mr. Rajan Zed. (a) Most people in the West know that the ‘Hindu Monks’ are serious people, too serious in fact, since they seat themselves on pedestals and allow devotees to worship them. So, everyone will know that this is a comedy, never fear! (b) Sanskrit words are used loosely? Please, how many Hindus actually know the meaning of Sanskrit words? Can anyone recite “Rama Shabda” - Raamah, Raamou, Raamaah, etc? (c) Hindu spirituality does include Tantra which is closely related to the forbidden fruit. I would like to know if there are any Hindus that are ashamed of the integration of sex into our religion/philosophy; I will send you to look at some Hindu religious/spiritual sculptures and art that will open your eyes wide. Come on, folks, Hinduism is the only religious system that boldly attempts to list Kaama and Artha along with Dharma and Moksha. There is no other religion like Hinduism.
May 20th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
What a shame to discredit the greatest and oldest religion of the world. They should rather make dramas about the thousands of abused children by the christian priests. That would be more useful.
Shaas
May 24th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
The movie should be boycotted. The amount of fools in the west is quite high. These fools often believe in sterotypes. They would definetly take an impression of Hinduism from this movie, and would spread anti-Hindu propoganda.
May 24th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
its all tolerance of a tradition someone is playing with, they can make oscar winning stuff with other religions (not traditions). those who pretend to be religious tolerant are a group of disguised cowards. tomorrow they take a movie about prophet mohammed, we can see the tolerance ?
May 27th, 2008 at 1:24 am
Following a genuine Sri Guru Acarya like His Divine Grace Srila A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada is serious business. Chosing between a genuine Sri Guru and a fake guru is probably the most important decision each human must make in this lifetime. Many have been mislead by gurus who look like the genuine article but in fact are cheaters and pretenders. Unfortunately fake gurus do not often stand out as obviously as in the movie “Love Guru”. Only through heartfelt prayer can we be safely and surely guided to the shelter of a genuine Spiritual Master, a bona fide Sri Guru.
Bhagavan Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, has an unlimitedly wonderful sense of humor. We, His created humans, experience humor because of His kindly endowing us with a portion of His qualities. Most of us have been bamboozled by tricksters of one sort or another in our lives: sweepstakes offers, bogus gurus, business ventures, internet offers, salesmen and even friends or partners, but that doesn’t mean the genuine article is not available. Laughter at one’s own foolishness is the best kind of laughter. The Hindu’s Pancha Tantra and famous writers in the West including William Shakespeare and Mark Twain, often teach what NOT to do, or what is NOT genuine, using humor. We hope that watching “Love Guru” poking fun of bogus gurus and their bogus disciples will be quite informative and enjoyable.
June 1st, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Those who profess themselves to be serious minded Hindus and are protesting this film need more of a sense of humor. The film is a satire and if the previews are any indication of the rest of the film, it’s hilarious. I believe you need to look at the intent of the film makers. Did they make a film deliberately intending to mock or defame a religious tradition? Or was their intent to make a satire. I doubt the film makers intended to make a film that deliberately maligned Hinduism. They can’t possibly be that foolish because they know the result - paying out millions in libel law suits.
There’s plenty to satirize in any religious tradition and Hinduism is no exception. Let’s not take ourselves so seriously! If you decide to go to see the film, have fun and get a good laugh. If you’re offended by the film’s content, then don’t go see it, but do not expect every other Hindu in the world to hold to your point of view.
June 2nd, 2008 at 12:56 pm
The Love Guru – Absolute mockery of the term “GURU ”
The movie ” The Love Guru ” in my opinion has impoverished seriously the Original Spirit of the term Guru . These days many individuals, who have very little or no knowledge at all about a True Guru or True Disciple feel qualified to mislead genuine souls on the Spiritual Path. The word Guru has also become very cheap these days. The movie only further serves the purpose of demeaning this term and makes a total mockery of the Guru Principle and the Guru Disciple relationship. Nowadays, it is sufficient to say “I am Guru” in order to give a spiritual talk or write a “BEST SELLER”. The Guru is indeed a representation of the many so called NEW AGE GURUS in USA and who may have ulterior marketing objectives.
The movie is a gross misrepresentation and manipulation of the term Guru,. The so called New Age Gurus have americanised this terminology of Guru to serve their own means and end. The typical disciples of American New Age Gurus are shown as laughing, showing signs of euphoric and unauthentic joy, while the GURU tries to look like he or she is in bliss. Just like a TV show. Very few American NEW AGE GURUS or their disciples actually undertake any serious spiritual practise, Why meditate if we are already all awakened they ignorantly question? In this respect, the many so called New Age Gurus or Gurus are a bogus or false.
It is true that New Millennium is a time of global awakening. But this awakening is mostly partial and relative to the level of most people’s unconsciousness. It was Jesus who said that there would be a time when many false teachers will teach in the name of Light. It seems to be happening now. Many of these teachers are not necessarily “bad people” but simply unqualified and lost, in truth. They have believed too quickly in the thought “I am now ready to teach! “, moreover there is least concern for religious sentiments during these rather sensitive times
The Love Guru in stark contrast to traditional Vedic Teachings serves up the glory of a Guru with a distinctly sour and perverted twist…. It places no explicit value on moral growth, spiritual purification, or character development…. Please find attached word document highlighting difference between True Gurus and Pseudo Gurus and please educate the American public about the true meaning of the term GURU
Thanks and regards
Roger
June 2nd, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Movies featuring a stereotype can be unpopular and sensitive, here is a link how Italians are furious over a recent German Ad
http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,556709,00.html
Peruvians were equally upset about the latest Indiana Jones Movie as their country and people were totally misrepresented in the Movie full link here http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jDLM2NqJLgpes3NpMxbxKJ0gYmaw
Even if the movie “The Love Guru” is fiction it must correct sensitive issues there, it is a gross misrepresentation of the term GURU to many people who do not know what a True Guru or a True Disciple is. It is better to correct sensitive issues when possible, people can be upset and by the time the movie is released it’s too late.
Dharma
June 2nd, 2008 at 1:33 pm
The Movie The Love Guru demeans the Guru principle and the Guru Disciple relationship even the current global crises and wars based on religions appeared empty to my eyes and what impact will it have on the future generations. Religious Tolerance? Global warming? Ha. Species extinction? Please. The genocides? Wars ? Atrocities? , sure, but all part of the same illusion. In me, the overarching apathy of Generations X and Y had reached an all-new high. And why? Because the truth revealed by the movie makes nihilism seem sublime. Through its warped lens, the entire universe appears, beyond all doubt, to be ultimately pointless and absurd…. A deep understanding of Universal Oneness of Being seems to be exactly the kind of spiritual truth the world needs to help bridge the countless divides that continue to keep human beings separate and conflicted, within and without. In fact, that’s what Guru Disciple principle is all about, and it’s what saints and sages throughout history have willingly died to defend, convinced that the sacred truth of Universal Consciousness is more important than anything else. But The Love Guru in stark contrast to traditional Vedic Teachings serves up the glory of a Guru with a distinctly sour and perverted twist…. It places no explicit value on moral growth, spiritual purification, or character development….
June 4th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
I for one think that Hindus should simply modify these movies by digitally changing entire scenes in the movie. Protests won’t make hollywood and or Bollywood budge. But reediting all those films by degrading and humiliating all involved in that movie, will really make them angry. Especially if we start selling those versions.
June 5th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
I have to say that Mike Meyer’s brand of comedy is very bufoonish and full of parody, so that it is very unlikely that anyone will take it as a serious critique of the Sanatana Dharma. I think that Hinduism can well stand up to any humor in this film and that in fact religion in general needs to be able to have a sense of humor about itself to maintain a healthy balance. I would rather see films like this, than another Indiana Jones Temple of Doom movie, because it has very little humor in it.
June 6th, 2008 at 8:50 am
“Guru’s Form is the foundation of meditation, Guru’s Feet is the foundation of ritual worship, Guru’s Words are the foundation of Mantra and Guru’s Grace is the foundation for liberation” goes this Guru Stotra. Guru & God are One the scriptures proclaim.
After the ignorant West which was stuck with rope trick, sati, snake charmers, etc for a few centuries and only are now coming out. Here comes another attack on the core strength of Hinduism. Many fellow Hindus have commented that it is just a satire but consider the ignorant masses who the source of funds for the missionaries to convert. This movie will be just the reason for them to believe that all Gurus are fakes. Remember Hinduism is a top down religion whereas organised religions are bottom up. Unless a person spends time and effort understanding the philosophy, he will misunderstand Hinduism. This is what practicing Hindus must guard againt and at the same time portray.
Every effort must be taken to ban this movie.
June 18th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
My beliefs are strong when it comes down to Dharma but I think we should see the movie for what it is . Just fun in myers way. We have a lot of other issues that should take precedence over the debate on this movie. Our Dharma and culture are under attack from all angles and we should screen the ones that are worth objecting against otherwise the masses that dont understand our culture will definitely stereotype us with the rest of the nuts out there who object to everything . Some even declare Fatwa.
I have a solution . Change the name of the movie. The movie may portray Guru in a bad light but lets face it. There are enough of them about. There are also many genuine ones who impart knowledge to their followers with discipline and honour. My salutations to them for they are doing our culture a great service. We should learn to accept the negatives in our society only then we can progress. My apologies to anyone who who is hurt by my views. Jai Hind. Jai Bharat.
June 26th, 2008 at 6:23 am
I think Rabbi Beyer has said it all for Hindus all over the world. The film will do a great deal of harm to true Hinduism. I have lived in the West for many years and I know how respectful many European and American intellectuals are in discussion about Hinduism. Like me they have also found basis and roots of their own religions in Hinduism and have admitted Hinduism must be mother of all religions of the world. The learned Oscar Wilde has also admitted to it. Unfortunately Hindus themselves haven’t realised how their religion got so misrepresented. And I have always blamed the Mogul and British rulers who single mindedly undermined and tried to destroy the Vedic Hindu religion. In recent years some phoney Gurus, also have played their part to the advantage of more organised religions.
Nevertheless Hindus in this millennium should be proud a significant change is on the way. The Pope, Archbishop, Bishops and Cardinals of many denominations have finally changed the definition of their God. It is no more ‘Holy Ghost’ or ‘Father in Heaven’ but, all pervading ‘Holy Spirit’, a Hindu definition of the Creator Brahama. Sooner they realise, this Brahama is not just all pervading (Vibhu) but the whole Universe is its principle (Brahama-tatwa) the better for the human race and ecology of Earth.
For many years now the word ‘Guru’ has been misunderstood, misused and sometimes with cynicism. In many quarters it is used as a weapon to degrade and to mock at Hinduism, to make it look a ‘laughing stock’ encouraging conversion of poorer Hindus in India. Strictly ‘Guru’ is the one who has inherited ‘teaching qualities’, aptitude, from previous birth and has acquired sufficient knowledge, especially in the field of religion and accepted the responsibility of a teacher. In ancient times the knowledge was about the Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayan and Geeta. Wearing beard, long hair, beads around neck, red tilak on the forehead, ability to pronounce OM sanctimoniously and talk about love, most certainly will not make one a Guru. Hindus should learn to reject and dismiss such Gurus wherever they crop up.
This film ‘Love Guru’ should most certainly be banned and its producers weeded out with it from Hindu India.
June 27th, 2008 at 9:13 am
the movie must be banned. the people who dont know the whole philosophy of the religion, dont have the right to write anything. the britishers dont have their own conscience and anything defamatory should not be shown for any religion. yes, there are mis beliefs in the religion but it should be shown with the right way and mean.
July 22nd, 2008 at 7:15 am
All of you participating in this topic about ‘Guru’, I am assuming, may remember a popular Hindi song ‘Gurubina Gyaan Kahansey panhoo’. To me it summed up true meaning of ‘Guru’. All of us who have attended schools and colleges would agree that without an experienced teacher (Guru) it is impossible to learn and study any subject if the objective is to be proficient in the subject. Gurus are born with aptitudes to ‘learn and teach’ in their bloodstream inherited from their previous incarnations. In old days before Christianity and Islam in India Gurus were paid only in kind from temple funds and by the rich. They were also accommodated near the schools (Ashrams).
I would like to propose; Hindu students wherever they live, like fathers and mothers day organise and observe, Gurus day in their schools as a token of appreciation. In the current behaviour of students in the West; beating, harassing, belittling and sometimes stabbing the teachers, world will appreciate it if we establish (with consent from the Principals) this ‘Hindu tradition’ in schools and colleges. It should eleviate the status and value of teachers mostly damaged by materialism and lack of spirituality in the West. The form and day could be fixed later. Please comment.