Why are Indian actors being cast in Aladdin?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Since you are calling it a MUSLIM tale and talking about MUSLIMS worldwide - are you forgetting that India has a larger Muslim population than any Arab country??

Yeah but many Arabs, especially Gulf Arabs, look down on other Muslim people as being inferior Muslim people, and not the preferred chosen ones, like them. There's a tremendous amount of racism and bigotry in Middle Eastern countries towards Muslim immigrants and migrants from elsewhere, but especially the Indian subcontinent.

Wow. That's such bullshit. I'm glad Aziz eats bacon.

Aziz Ansari is an atheist, not Muslim. I mean I guess one might always be connected culturally, but he doesn't consider himself Muslim.

So Muslims want a practicing Muslim from the Middle East to play Aladdin? Nothing else is good enough?

You lost me. I'm confused.

See 15:59. Apparently muslims are pissed. Take cover.

Are we talking about religion or ethnic origin? What does religion have to do with Aladdin?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Since you are calling it a MUSLIM tale and talking about MUSLIMS worldwide - are you forgetting that India has a larger Muslim population than any Arab country??

Yeah but many Arabs, especially Gulf Arabs, look down on other Muslim people as being inferior Muslim people, and not the preferred chosen ones, like them. There's a tremendous amount of racism and bigotry in Middle Eastern countries towards Muslim immigrants and migrants from elsewhere, but especially the Indian subcontinent.

Wow. That's such bullshit. I'm glad Aziz eats bacon.

Aziz Ansari is an atheist, not Muslim. I mean I guess one might always be connected culturally, but he doesn't consider himself Muslim.

So Muslims want a practicing Muslim from the Middle East to play Aladdin? Nothing else is good enough?

You lost me. I'm confused.

Are we talking about religion or ethnic origin? What does religion have to do with Aladdin?

See 15:59. Apparently Muslims are pissed. Take cover.

[Anonymous]

Look, OP, even Italians and Sicilians nitpick over this kind of thing. The bottom line is, no one will notice or care outside of those populations.

[Anonymous]

You guys.

Each of these ethnicities looks vastly different.



Saudi, Omar Borkan al Gala



Kuwaiti, ahmed al zabedy


Lebanon, Wissam Hana



Lebanon, bachar houli


India, Dev Patel


India, Ranveer Singh


India, John Abraham

[Anonymous]

Actually it is more complex than that - Lebanese will often speak of their Phoenician ethnicity to distinguish themselves from Arabs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hey, it's better than the alternative of a white person being cast.

-brown person

Lol these 2 voiced the characters of Jasmine and Aladdin in the original Disney movie, so I guess that's some progress.

[Anonymous]

I'm Bangladeshi American and I get mistaken for Arab all the time. By Arab people, esp Egyptians. I don't think it' s a big deal to cast an Indian/South Asian actor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My half-Bangladeshi-half white cousin is routinely cast as Arab and Hispanic characters. Its not unique to this movie. (Not defending the practice, just saying it's common.)

Who's your cousin!?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You guys.

Each of these ethnicities looks vastly different.



Saudi, Omar Borkan al Gala



Kuwaiti, ahmed al zabedy


Lebanon, Wissam Hana



Lebanon, bachar houli


India, Dev Patel


India, Ranveer Singh


India, John Abraham

I'll take the Lebanese men, please.

[Anonymous]

Arabs look down on Indians. That's who they keep as indentured servants whom they abuse. Extremely racist.

As far a being Muslim, South Asian Muslims are at the bottom of the totem pole. They are also the servants. This is why Pakistanis try to downplay their Indian ancestry. Practically every one you meet will tell you how they descend from Mohammed.

So I'm not surprised at this "outrage".

[Anonymous]

According to Wikipedia, the 1001 Arabian Nights is a collection of stories from the Middle East and South Asia. There was a lot of interchange of culture between India and the Near/Middle East during the medieval period.

But FWIW, Agrabah definitely looked more North Indian in that totally accurate Disney cartoon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is it. I am done.

Aladdin is a famous tale from the Middle East. Casting an Indian kid in the biggest Western backed retelling of this classic Muslim tale is a slap in the face of the thousands of Muslims worldwide. It was such a pivotal moment in pop culture history, to have this movie be made now with the geopolitical context of today. An Arab-American actor in the lead was not bring authenticity and understanding to this classic tale of a poor muslim boy who encounters a Jinn but also send a powerful message in cultural diplomacy by having a positive image of a Muslim in pop-culture.

I am appalled and deeply saddened. We are not even allowed to tell our own tales!

Nothing is stopping you from directing and producing your own movie.

+1

[Anonymous]

I remember the cartoon had a reference or two to Allah. (Also punishment by cutting off the hand.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I remember the cartoon had a reference or two to Allah. (Also punishment by cutting off the hand.)

The original soundtrack had the line, "They'll cut off your ear if they don't like your face." It must be Pakistan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I remember the cartoon had a reference or two to Allah. (Also punishment by cutting off the hand.)

The original soundtrack had the line, "They'll cut off your ear if they don't like your face." It must be Pakistan.

"Its barbaric, but hey, it's home!"

And then the PC police got a hold of it.