Sunday, September 21, 2008

The Pointless Potter vs. Puttar Polemics


There's a basic difference between the names Puttar and Potter that the west cannot reconcile nor would seem to want to. Puttar means son in Hindi and Punjabi, while Potter is one who makes pots or a heavy user of cannabis. Warner Bros is concerned that the "Hari Puttar" film will confuse the viewing public and shortchange the "Harry Potter" franchise. But anyone who is a fan of Potter will certainly know the difference, even if they suspect that it is cashing in on the J.K. Rowling series. The position of Warner here is to claim a franchise on names or titles that sounds close to their fictitious hero. Even if Mirchi Movies of Bollywood retitled their film "Hairy Porter" or "Hurry Poser", Warner would likely take the same legal action. Either they want to cast a spell on all potential film titles of this type or they don't know how to spell.

"Hari" is another name of the Hindu God Vishnu, and this is a religion that's indigenous to India, while "Harry" is a derivative of Henry, like the philanderer Henry VIII; or Harold, which is of Scandinavian origin, not Anglo-Saxon; which means army ruler. This is not a special kind of measuring stick used for military purposes, but an Army commander. But between a God and a bed wetter King or an army commander, "Hari" has more centuries of being than "Harry". It might be wiser for Hari to have been a golf prodigy with a mean swing of the irons like Tiger Woods, and the title would be "Hari's Putter". However, this sounds a little X-rated and would not be patronized by parents for their children.

Moreover, the storylines are different. Hari Puttar is a 10 year old lad who goes to England and gets involved in a plan to save the world. Harry Potter is a wizard in the netherworld defending himself against his parents' killer Lord Voldemort, who wants to control their world and subjugate the real world. But Harry's too late, the real world has been conquered by the witches, wizards and beasts of Voldemort; especially if you consider the usurpers that made billions out of ordinary people's hard earned money - like the witches of Wall Street, the wizards of Washington, and the beasts of the Banking community. Hari Puttar then takes off where Harry Potter failed, and we should be cheering him on. The savior of the world will come from the East, not the West, and Warner doesn't take too kindly to the degrading of their hero. But whoever heard of a good witch or wizard? Potter doesn't want to stop their ilk from their craft, he merely wants to continue clandestinely, much like the creepy beings that inhabit government.

But the uncanny similarity between Dhaval Dave and Daniel Radcliffe could be the main issue although Warner doesn't openly admit it. Dave cannot change his face, it's the only one he's got. Radcliffe has made millions, why wouldn't he change his? It's unrealistic to have a wizard with spectacles, can't he fix his own vision? No wonder Voldemort wants to eliminate him, he's an embarrassment to the profession, considering how popular he has become. Furthermore, in this technological age, these wizards still use those silly brooms to ride on, perhaps believing that people could still be literally swept off their feet when a spell is cast. But can the 10 year old Puttar save the world? Warner would not want anyone to know. They want the world to focus on this dreadful scenario where witches and wizards kill each other. If only they did the same on Wall Street, the Banking community, and Washington.

Hari Puttar has been put on hold by a judge in India right before its debut last September 12. The last film in the Harry Potter franchise has been moved for release in July 2009, a safe distance in case Puttar gets to be shown in 2008. Warner wants to maximize its profits on the last film and they have manacled Hari Puttar as an insurance against competition. They obviously have no confidence in AIG, nor are they inclined to partcipate in the Lehman Brothers fire sale. If that judge in India suddenly owns a Ferrari, it would tell us where Warner placed its bets. It would show the world that justice has been served, or the judge has been serviced, or both.

Hari Puttar must be able to extricate from this legal entanglement, otherwise the film will have no credibility whatsoever. For how can he save the world when he cannot even overcome a pathetic near sighted wimp with a broomstick for a ride. This whole thing is really pointless.

Harrrrwwwwwk...Twooooooph...Ting!

22 comments:

Kim said...

what's that saying Durano?
"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.."
I like your choice....
Hari's Putter LOL....

Anonymous said...

Is this controversy serious? I hadn't heard of it and it sounds silly, even though I assume there is a lot of money at stake.

I say let people do whatever they want. It's a free world... I do believe in copyright to a certain extend but I don't see the big deal here. As you said, Harry Potter fans will know that this is not HP!

SheR. said...

What a silly lawsuit. But hey.. when they have tons of money.. they need to find somewhere to spend them... in lawsuits.

I've heard of some poor guy in his kid's party being sued because he was wearing a Purple suit.. similar to that certain Purple Dinosaur! Silly but true...

desperateblogger said...

that's franchise for you. anyway, who the heck would watch a film entitled hari puttar surely no true j.k rowling fan would mistake this puttar for potter.

kinda remind me of old tito-vic-joey fime where they bastardize american titles to pinoy titles. btw, a corner store near my house sells crispy pata. guess what the store's name is - harry pata. the owner's name is harry and he sells crispy pata.

Mharms said...

I don't know what's happening to the movie industry today. This is like remakes and imitations. No originality at all.

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Hello Kim,

I guess Warner Bros. doesn't like to be flattered this way. The only method of flattery they would really appreciate are ticket receipts.:-)

The Putter title and story line could help but it does sound X-rated doesn't it? LOL! :-) --Durano, done!

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

HI Zhu,

It is serious and Warner has filed the case in Mumbai, where the Mirchi Movies people are based.

As far as Warner is concerned, Puttar would cash in on Potter's popularity and they estimate that to be a lot of money. But I really don't believe so. Potter fans will certainly spot the difference.

It's a foolish overreaction which only highlighted the Indian film to a higher level of awareness. :-) --Durano, done!

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

HI Sher,

There are lots of silly, even outrageous things that people do in this world, some of them involve lawsuits - like that poor kid you mentioned who was sued for a party costume.

The truth is the more money some people make,the greedier and more selfish they become - to protect their golden goose. Sometimes, time and nature puts an end to this wealth source to give the owners a hard lesson on kindness. I just can't understand why success makes other people so oppressive. I hope the lesson comes soon. :-) --Durano, done!

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

HI Desperateblogger,

WELCOME!

You're right about no Potter fan watching a Puttar film, so the lawsuit is pointless, really. I have a feeling that this is just a case of bullying.

LOL! Harry pata - that's a good one. Is the crispy pata any good? Thanks for the visit. :-) --Durano, done!

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Hi Marlyms,

WELCOME!

he movie industry, well especially Hollywood, is running out of great ideas. They are doing remakes, imitations, adaptations, comic book characters, anime' characters and stories, among others.

Hari Puttar is not in the same mold as those mentioned above, it is more of a different genre (comedy/adventure)that tries to sound like a popular character made into a film series. It hopes to make a little money in India and the UK,not internationally nor anything blockbusterish. I believe Warner should have just let it pass.

Thanks for the visit. :-) --Durano, done!

desperateblogger said...

fyi, harry pata's crispy pata is quite good. =)

Anonymous said...

Hi Durano, the resemblance is amazing. Perhaps WB is afraid that later on Hari Puttar will give Harry Potter a run for his money? lol...

It's a needed move for WB, Maybe, I would do the same if I were in their shoe. But considering my generosity (lol), I'll probably even cast both boys in one film...lol...

Thanks for sharing a good post.

Mharms said...

Same also in the Philippines durano. The movie industry there right now is sinking. They do movies that is based on imitation also...in soap operas, they just remake the originals. I am so sad about this. By the way, thanks for hopping in my blog and for the comment.

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Hi Again Desperateblogger,

Send me the address of Harry Pata. I'll also tell my friends about it. :-) --Durano, done!

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Hi Jenaisle,

Good idea casting both guys in one film. I think the coming Potter film is the last in the series.

Rowling has too much money and she wants to spend the rest of her life enjoying it.LOL!

A little easing off would have been good too. Now the film is better known and even if they change the title, would probably be watched more than if they'd just let it pass. :-) --Durano,done!

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Hi Marlyms,

In the Philippines, the movie industry is practically dead. It only comes to life during the Metro Manila Film Festival.

The only ones that produce on a regular basis are the 2 TV networks, ABS/CBN and GMA 7. All the older stars are crowding the networks and most are drawn into the utterly silly network ratings war.

It is pathetic, really.

You're welcome and no need to thank me. It's my personal policy. :-) --Durano, done!

Anonymous said...

Having seen Harry's wand live and on stage in New York, I wonder if the similarities stop at their faces. If they do not, I truly pity this Indian kid. He has a lot of disappointment ahead of him in life.

*lynne* said...

never heard of Hari Putter until I read this post. I'd actually look forward to seeing this movie, just because I acknowledge the play on words / homage to Harry Potter, but there's no way I'd "confuse" it with WB/Rowling's product. Aiyah, sometimes these big companies get really bullyish in nature, don't they?

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Hi Blanca,

WELCOME!

You are referring to Radcliffe's Broadway performance in Equus, wherein he braved the role in the raw.

By the way, was it a male horse or a female horse that was on stage. If it was a male horse, did he compare well? LOL!

Perhaps as long as this kid Dhaval Dave limits his targets to India, he wouldn't be too disappointed. There surely won't be a dearth of women he can select from considering that country's population.

Now, if size is really a concern, he could use techniques that he can secure right in India. What are they the originators of the Kama Sutra for eh? :-) --Durano, done!

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Hi Lynne,

WELCOME!

Glad the post generated interest in you to watch the film. The play on words in the title is the attraction they hope to make, and just as I thought, Potter fans like you will not be confused with the Potter franchise.

Bullying is a typical trait of the more powerful to hide their overwhelming insecurity. In this case, I don't know what they could be so insecure about. Be prepared to see a less engaging film than a real Potter film though.

Thanks for the visit. :-) --Durano, done!

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