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!