Plans to make a film in London 's East End based on the bestseller " Brick Lane " have recently had to be abandoned. Though Monica Ali's novel linked to life in so-called Banglatown has sold almost a million copies since it was published 3 years ago, attempts to turn it into a film have turned instead to anger and recrimination. Some Bangladeshis say they've been insulted by - for example - images of immigrants with lice-infested hair. But why should just one story set in a Banglatown cause such an uproar? And what is the image of British Bangladeshis? High unemployment, poverty, low educational achievements are the stereotypes still associated with the community, but what's the reality? Konnie Huq speaks to the rising stars of the Brit Bangla scene who beg to differ.
Presented by: Konnie Huq
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Read what others have said..
Zarina Begum
Monica Ali's book isn't an accurate portrayal of the Bengalis of Tower Hamlets. The book goes for sensationalism rather than a nuanced view of the problems facing the community eg. gender relations, drugs and innercity ghettoisation. Contrary to what many Dhakaiya Bengalis believe, second and third generation Sylheti professionals are every bit (and perhaps more so given they live in Britain) culturally sophisticated and upwardly mobile as Bengalis from other regions. Sylhetis are certainly the most successful in business terms. I think that the Bengalis of all regions have so many real problems, why highlight stereotypes that will inevitably end in infighting?
Syedur Talukdar, Northampton
When Monica Ali's book came out I pre-ordered it as basically I was proud a book was being published commercially based on the lives of Sylhetis living in Brick Lane. How wrong I was. I am a Sylheti Bangladeshi from the Sunamganj Upazila, and on more occasions than once, I have travelled and visited these residential areas of Brick Lane. Monica Ali seems to forget, the characters in the book, both major and minor ones are all Dhaka origins, she seems to forget that a mere 99% percent of Tower Hamlets flat dwellers are Sylheti, and even if they were from mixed areas they would intermingle, but not like how Razia and Mrs Islam visit her. Also stereotyping the husband to be nearly two decades older than her was just as bad. How many students like Chanu Ahmed came from Dhaka University and settled in Brick Lane. Overall, Monica Ali seems to show the world that like many people of Dhaka, she resents the Sylheti people and their rise to prosperity.
Imran Ahmed, London
As a Habigonji Sylheti, I found the Brick Lane to deal with the British Bangladeshi community in a superficial manner. Very unoriginal stereotypes eg, contest between Secular and Islamist elements and attacks on the Sylheti majority in this country. She thinks that the Bangladeshi currency is the rupee!! (It's the taka). Setup for mainstream middle class white background than a real portrayal of British Sylheti culture.
Anonymous
This is the real sylheti life, there is not one wrong word written in Brick Lane. The majority of sylheties are like this there is no wrong in monica ali's book!! being a sylheti myself i see this type of life most of the time. monica ali's book is absoloutly brilliant i'd love to see it made into a film!!
Ara, South west midlands
I tried reading Monica Ali's book but found it was done to appeal to the British stereotyped market and did nothing but humiliate my own perception of what it means to be Bengali and what it means to be English. Isn't it about time we portrayed people as people and focus on the positives and optimistic nature of Bengali - a true asset to be celebrated. Closed minded people act all the same way - across all cultural mix - most of them are easy to spot, they do not listen, they do not want to accept what you tell them and wants total focus on themselves and their one way of doing things. No time to discuss but unless we get the small details right about the how human beings act in weird ways in a difficult situation because we are all unique in our response, politics and power will always be the over-riding social force that will put Bengalis at the bottom of the game.
Riaz, Midlands
I think one thing that we all are forgetting about Monica Ali’s book is it’s a ‘fiction’. Although I am non Sylheti I do agree with Abdul Hye. My family came here in late 60,s and have always got on with Sylheti families and have many friends. I see them as Bengalis and not as Sylhties. There have been growing rifts between Sylhties and so called Bengalis (non-Sylhties) for many years. There are some aspects of the book is true but stereotyping the whole community that I don’t agree with. Sylheti in Bangladesh face prejudice from the Government and many non-sylhti people in this country. I think it’s true to say that Sylhty people do have a problem with non-Sylhty’s when it comes to power and politics. Why isn’t there a British Bangladeshi MP in House of Parliament? If you do your research properly, you will find that the non-Sylhti candidates from Tower Hamlets never had a chance. They got let down by their own people, The Sylhties!! As per Monica's book... I fail to understand why they would't let her film it in Brick Lane? This could have been a great marketing gain for the people of Brick Lane. Don't let Monica Ali hold you back, We Bangladeshis are now going places and let’s hope it continues.
TheBhangradr, cardiff
My opinion is that Monica Ali's book is very clever piece of opinated fact. Of course there is going to be critisim and especially that of the community she is putting in focus here. The fact is sometimes the truth hurts for some then they lash out at it. And this is why some have 'attacked' it. Monica is a brave lady who is just stating it as she sees it. If people can't handle that then thats their problem Monica is half English-Bengali so there is no problem with her critising things
Abdul Hye, East London
Monica Ali wrote a novel called “Brick Lane” depicting the lives of Bengalis in Tower Hamlets. To people unfamiliar with the Bengali community in the UK I’d like to give the readers some background information to this issue. Sylhetis form 95% of Britain's Bangladeshi community. Monica Ali’s father is from Dhaka. Sylhotis have their own language and are fiercely proud if it. In the Guardian July 24, 2006 I have read that “She has forgotten her Bengali”, which she would not have done if she had wanted to remember it. Most Bengalis live in Tower Hamlets. She lives in south London with her husband Simon, a management consultant. What Does she know of the Bengali community in the UK? I’d say NOTHING. Her book is just full of stereotypes that are about two decades old. Sylheti in Bangladesh face prejudice from people like her father. This is echoed by characters in her book who mock Sylhetis as "dirty little monkeys" who are: "Uneducated. Illiterate. Close-minded.". Can anyone blame us for being upset?
Roberto Alvarez-Galloso: Miami Florida
I have not read the book "Brick Lane" but from the critics, it seems to reinforce negative stereotypes about a people. For me, there is good and bad, hard working and lazy in everyone. For me, the greatest examples that I know from Bangladesh and the British Bengali Community who have done more for this world has been Dr. Tazeen [a Doctor I worked with while reviewing Medical Charts in Miami] and Konnie Huq.