My dear Soter, hasn't Bollywood made films on characters such as Bal Thackeray, and some of Mumbai's dons? Haven't they been screened in Maharashtra? Films depicting criminal elements in Bihar has been shown. I am not sure of Kerala or Tamilnadu as I am not aware of what type of illegal activities, such as drug peddling, gold smuggling, takes place. The movie shows the families of Lawrence Gomes (Lawry) and Tani as any normal Goan Catholic family. The altar was visibie, the farewell party for Tani was something many Goan families do. The families were not involved in crime, it is just that Lawry gets caught into this drug carring trade because of his financial difficulties. Just as many Goan families in the beach belt rent out their homes to these drug-taking foreigners to earn extra cash. For some, the rent money may be the only income. I know a family who owns a house in the Calangute area but the owners live in UAE. The family wanted to rent out the home to foreigners but many decline to rent it. The reason: the house is somewhere close to the police station. I didn't see any Maria or Rosie shown as a prostitute. The only Goan is Zoey, acted by Bipasha Basu, the leading female star. The film's message is not to highlight a "particular commnunity" as part of the criminal world. As the film is tackling the theme of Goa being a land for raves, drugs and sex, the film has to show the Goan landscape in all forms -- families and characters. The film does not give any fresh ideas to people from other states that Goa is welcame place to indulge in illegal or illicit acts. Goa is well promoted as a land of fun, and fun is what people from other states want. Why are the rich Indians from Mumbai and Delhi descend on Goa to spend their Christmas holidays? Mind you, most of the tourists from other states cannot afford the drug and women in the North Goa beach belt. I ate at Britto's recently and saw that the restaurant was full mostly of foreigners and posh-looking people who spoke Hindi with a Mumbai or Delhi accent. These rich people who can afford a rechado bangdda at Rs 1000 are not dumb enough to know what else Goa offers. College lads with backpackers could be seen loitering the narrow roads of Baga. When you say Goans are cowards or have no guts, you are putting yourself into that category. Hasn't there been social activism on the abuse of Goa beaches and how tourism has affected local lives? What has been the net result? As a non-resident Goan who visits Goa periodically I see that instead of stalling the growth of the shady trade, there, in fact, has been an increase. Your question can best be answered by the NGOs who are fighting on all fronts to save Goa. Soter, I understand your concern as well as your predicament. I will ignore JC's post because it lacks substance and meaning to take this debate further.
Eugene
