Stereotypically Not Typical!

I watched the movie, Two States over the weekend and realised how movies have largely contributed to the cultural stereotypical images people have cultivated and nurtured in their brains.This North Indian, South Indian divide is a barrier created by movies that are assumed to be mirrors that portray culture.Even though this movie has tried to break the stereotype at places , it gives into it at some other places.

I am a South Indian and a proud one at that. And NO, I am not a Madrasi! I am a Kannadiga (Google it), I am fair skinned, like most South Indian people( you read it right) and I hate curd rice and Idly. I do not know Bharatnatyam, I also speak Hindi without any kind of BOKWAS accent, fluently. None of my South Indian guy friends can carry off a lungi without a belt to hold it secure. Doesn't fit your typical South Indian image? Take it or leave it, I am still one.

We, South Indians also have certain stereotypes instilled in our heads since childhood. All North Indians are Marwadis. Like they call of us "Madrasis" we call all of them "Sethu(Sethji 's version)". We assume all of them eat Paranthas dipped in butter, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We cannot imagine a North Indian being dark skinned. We also believe their weddings are nothing less in grandeur compared to what is shown in a Karan Johar movie and son on and so forth. Thanks to half of Bangalore, being filled with North Indians, who are nothing close to all this, I no longer believe in these stereotypes.

I watch movies for entertainment and not to base my opinions. I know these stereotypes are exaggerations of reality and laugh at most of them and wince at a few. I am fine with all these stereotypes as long as I get invited to lavish Punjabi weddings and know I have to go home and eat curd rice, reluctantly! ;)