Now it’s literally Deepak Chopra versus Rajan Zed. via Rediff (tip Runa)

DC takes on RZ
img: via Rediff

The battle lines are drawn.
Hindu chants of “Om” (“Aum” for the Orientalist westerners) chime in the background.
It’s the clash of spiritualism and clergy.

Deepak Chopra has come out in support of the movie “The Love Guru” saying he is worried “some Hindus don’t get the joke in the movie”.

“No matter what you write or do, the fundamentalists attack it,” Dr Chopra tells rediff.com in an exclusive interview. This is the first time anyone has held a long discussion on the $80 million film. “It doesn’t matter if you are a Hindu, a Muslim or a Christian: If you are a fundamentalist, you have a problem.”

Chopra goes into psychoanalysis mode and concludes that these protests arise from insecurities and basic human ego.

“I would make fun of them (the Hindu groups). I would say your faith is so weak that a comedy can offend you. I would then tell them, Your faith is not faith; it’s a cover up for insecurity. Just because you are vegetarian and you dress like Hindus it doesn’t mean you have strong faith.”

“If you truly understood your faith, you would not be so easily offended,” he continues, speaking gently but firmly. “Because what is offended is your ego. You are actually showing the weakness of your faith. I’m making fun of myself in the movie.”

Chopra (correctly) concludes that in the end, all this controversy will basically end up giving more publicity to the movie and his book, a sort of viral underground publicity campaign, if you will. He adds that the same argument could be made for Indian philosophy.

“You should write to him (Zed) saying that you met Dr Chopra,” he tells this reporter. “Tell them that Dr Chopra is very thankful to you for creating so much publicity both for the movie as well as for his book.”

“They (the religious critics) will create our publicity,” he says with a chuckle. “They are going to help us. The more noise they make, the more popular the film will be and the more people will begin to relate to Indian philosophy.”

I disagree with Chopra on his premise that anyone offended by the movie is an extremist or a fundamentalist. Lacking of sense of humor, they may be, but that doesn’t make them fundamentalists. However, he does make a couple of great points on why religious fundamentalists are perpetually offended – insecurity and ego. Again, it is debatable whether this is the kind of exposure “Indian culture” (for lack of a better word) is looking for, but the movie, “The Love Guru” and Paramount will certainly take it with both hands and so will Deepak Chopra.

Why would Chopra benefit from this controversy? Chopra’s reaction could also be for purely selfish reasons, he plays a cameo in the movie “The Love Guru”. He also has a book coming up soon, “Why Is God Laughing”, that has a similar theme on a comedian using comedy to overcome his fears some of which are based on religion.

The movie also stars Manu Narayaan of the Broadway musical Bombay Dreams in a smaller role, Ben “Gandhi” Kingsley, and, of particular interest for our male readers including yours truly, Jessica Alba.

For another take on the “Love Guru” controversy, check out blogger SI at Desi Manifesto. [link]

Previous “Love Guru” posts on Über Desi:
Mike Myers to play Indian Guru – June 28, 2007
The Hindoos are coming! – April 8, 2008

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