Let’s talk about that ‘desi’ scene in Spider-Man: Homecoming

For Indian fans of superhero franchise Spider-Man, it’s a delight to spot Hollywood actor Robert Downey Jr in a kurta pyjama at a traditional Indian wedding in a scene from Spider-Man: Homecoming.

Spoilers follow

This image released by Columbia Pictures shows Tom Holland in a scene from Spider-Man: Homecoming. (AP)

For Indian fans of superhero franchise Spider-Man, it’s a delight to spot Hollywood actor Robert Downey Jr in a kurta pyjama at a traditional Indian wedding in a scene from Spider-Man: Homecoming, which seems to have embraced diversity.

Whether it is Downey Jr, a turbaned student in a scene, or an Asian sidekick for actor Tom Holland -- the latest version of the superhero tale swings in the diversity way, justified by the presence of an ethically diverse cast including Laura Harrier, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon and Tony Revolori.

Director Jon Watts, left, and actors Jacob Batalon, centre, and Tom Holland, pose during a promotional event for their latest film Spider-Man: Homecoming in Seoul, South Korea. (AP)

Zendaya, who rose to fame as a Disney star with the series Shake It Up!, says this is one reason why she got attracted towards the film, which released in India on Friday.

“I love being part of the movie because of the diversity that it brings to the table. It’s time (to open doors for people of colour in the industry),” Zendaya told IANS.

Zendaya arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of Spider-Man: Homecoming at the TCL Chinese Theatre. (AP)

British actor Holland, 20, was introduced as Spider-Man last year in Captain America: Civil War, and got his first solo movie as the web slinger with Spider-Man: Homecoming.

He dropped hints about a ‘big Indian reference’ in the new film, and was seen matching to the tunes of popular Hindi song “Eespiderman, eespiderman, tune churaya mere dil ka chain”. In fact, he went on to express his desire to swing into Indian cinema as the superhero in the ‘desi’ version of the film too.

The audience was pleasantly surprised to see how the makers had infused a bit of Indian culture in the film with Iron Man Downey Jr hobnobbing at a wedding, and getting an essence of ‘desi’ celebrations with sari-clad women and ‘genda phool’ (marigold) in abundance.

US-based Marvel Studios’ president Kevin Feige had teased the Indian reference in the film, in an interview to IANS back in 2016.

The scene is not shot in India, as Feige had reasoned then that it doesn’t suit the budget to get the whole crew and cast to the country for just one scene.

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