Would you watch a movie based on Mark Zuckerburg? Last week Facebook opened its operations in Hyderabad with an initial team from Palo Alto and a whole new bunch of Indian hires. To mark their foray into India,Facebook has launched a competition which asks local artists to submit designs to decorate the new office space,a smart way to show respect to a new culture. The winner will be announced on November 15. In the same week,founder Mark Zuckerberg donated $100 million to revamp schools in America ,and made it to the Forbes list at number 35 of richest Americans. To top it,a movie based on him The Social Network hit the screens in the US on October 1. Im on Facebook myself and a big admirer of Zuckerberg,who is a constant reminder how even a 23-year-old could change the world with the power of an idea. But I dont know if you could drag me into the hall to watch a movie on this geeky guy who looks wholly unexciting in general and has lived on this planet for less than three decades. Im sure there are enough people out there who want to understand the fascinating Facebook story and get a glimpse into Zuckerbergs undoubtedly great mind. (Rumour has it hes not as innocent as he looks and he grabbed the idea from two friends and beat them to it,and thats about the worst thing hes done in his existence on earth.) Hes created a billion dollar company in six years,a rare feat for sure,but I have to wonder if Zuckerberg makes exciting viewing. Movies and books on great people and success stories are usually runaway hits. Think Gandhi,which is still immensely watchable,or more recently,The Aviator on Howard Hughes. But Gandhi had the turbulent Indian independence movement to support it and Hughes colourful lifestyle,mental issues and kinks made it a treat. As did Andre Agassis autobiography,Open,a look at life on the international tennis circuit. But then Agassi is married to Steffi Graf,has admitted to using drugs and is endearingly honest about his issues in his book. The worlds new superheroes are way too perfect and irritatingly angular to make great viewing. They give away wealth equivalent to the GDP of small nations,spend time in slums around the world and are consciously trying to make the world a better place. Men of outstanding calibre like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs,thank god for them,are to be greatly admired,but when it comes to movies,the more twisted the characters,the more the fun. Give me a film on seriously flawed human beings any day. (hutkayfilms@gmail.com)
