When it comes to the topic of movies, an image of massive crowd gathering pushing each other to book tickets outside the cinema halls, elongated queue of audience irrespective of class and age with immense fanaticism and passion for their dream heroes and heroines come to the mind. Apart from Cricket, films are considered a religion with Film-stars playing demi-gods in an avant-garde way.
Cinema is a form of art which echoes the past, present and future of a Society. But there are times when cinema envisions its own identity – and when society monitors it, it becomes heir to the varied colors of attitude from it. So it is not just a one-way street. On one end the society provides mirror to the cinema; on the other hand cinema reciprocates by showing one to society. For example: when a boy from the street imitates and impersonates the style of his favorite hero and the girl mimics her favorite actress. Cinema, though reflects our traditions, ethos, religion and culture, also manages to add values. When a certain culture is displayed on the screen it results in attracting our collective consciousness towards the utopia. For example, the theme of nuclear family was first presented on the celluloid but now it is a given reality. From “chhor do aanchal zamana kya kahega” to “zara zara touch me touch me touch me”, the transition in music and lyrics essentially captures the evolution of Indian society. So, as the society changes, cinema changes; and as cinema undergoes change, it changes society, too.
Dadasaheb Phalke was the Father Of Indian Cinema, who brought cinema from London to Bombay. His first venture was a silent film on Indian mythological king, Raja Harischandra. The first motion picture, Alam-Ara came later. Today, the film industry has boomed with advent of new technologies and ultra-modern state of the art equipments. This industry started by Dadasaheb Phalke was named “Bollywood”. Dadasaheb Phalke Awards are the greatest recognition bestowed to talent from the Indian film industry. The model of films that we witness today is not an abrupt modification but a concerted improvement attained through permanent function. There have been innumerable milestones achieved in this long journey and their contributions have been enormous.
Besides the cultural aspects, Bollywood also played a pivotal role in weaving the imagery of national unity. Through the various films and genres, different states, regions, languages and cultures of India were showcased. Even today, animosities and conflicts based on regional and provincial boundaries take place in India, but the mantra of “unity in diversity” is presented on the celluloid with films like “Chennai Express” and “2 States”. Both films covered the love stories of couples belonging to different cultures and states.
Bollywood also fought battles against social evils in its own way. Films with a social message against Dowry, child marriage, child labor evoked an awakening by creating civil society. Whilst films like Satyagraha starring Amitabh Bachchan and Ajay Devgn shed light on corruption, there was plethora of films which had a detrimental impact with negative characters becoming popular with youth. Many youngsters mesmerized by the image of “Bhai” and “Dons” of Bollywood took up harmful professions. The larger-than-life portrayals of villains and “anti-heroes” became a trend in society. Bollywood, the culprit here, often showed Don with more power and liberties than police and judiciary inspiring, albeit negatively, to take up addictions like alcohol, smoking and gambling. These are some of the major demerits of Indian cinema; however, one may argue that they were mere reflections of Indian society.
As technology flourished, so did attitudes and adaptations. Indian cinema was not impacted by Hollywood. The concept of “comic” genre was introduced from Hollywood. Raj Kapoor imbibed the style of Charlie Chaplin in films like Shree 420 and Mera Naam Joker. Today technology has made massive inroads in different sectors – and Bollywood has not been left untouched. Following the footsteps of Hollywood, Indian filmmakers have started making films on science.
After the brutal gang rape of a young girl in India’s capital city, questions were raised on the portrayal of women in Indian cinema and their larger effect on Indian society. Many dispute that Indian popular culture is bursting with misogyny, and Bollywood needs to own up to its role in stimulating this culture. Concerns were raised over films being filled with coarse songs, “item numbers” — a gratuitous song which features a scantily-clad woman often dancing for the pleasure of a room full of men — and very minor decorative roles from the ‘heroine’. The hero often harasses the heroine, who is somehow charmed by his behavior and falls madly in love with him.
In India, cinema is not just a sheer source of entertainment. Often it’s a religion- and just like religion is a way of life for many, cinema also espouses the same characteristics. Millions and millions of people recount their every day stories of joy, success, happiness and predicament with the films of their favorite actors and actresses. The history of the telecast of Ramayana & Mahabharata in Doordarshan (DD National) and worshipping of those characters in the real world by the common folk are well-known to all of us.
A coin has two sides likewise everything has its own pros and cons. Overkill of everything is dire. The impact of movies on the Indian society has both constructive and destructive effects. Naming a few:
Positive Effects:
a) Entertainment: Movies are, without a fraction of doubt, are a chief resource of entertainment. From the minute we treat ourselves to watching a movie we enter into a fresh world, eliminating all our uncertainties and quibbles placing the mind at easiness. Rich, poor, literate, illiterate, young or old all need something for entertainment. Recreation is an imperative part of each one’s life, thus watching a movie provides this boulevard.
b) Lesson of Espirit De Corps:A movie is collaboration. It needs a director, actors, technicians, make-up artists etc. they pool resources and cooperate with each other to make the movie a hit and then it’s highly praised by the audience as it shows the muscle of joint effort. It also leaves a point that teamwork pays off.
c) Indian Art and Culture is showcased: Different traditions and customs of different parts of the country are publicized in the movies which facilitates the society to discover and get to know about them more as it is not achievable for everyone to visit each and every part of the country but the movies gives us better insight about the human behavior and thus we comprehend them better.
d) Movies Inspire the society: Movies encourage us more than we think it can. Inspirational movies help us to become bold, knowledgeable, trustworthy, strong-minded etc. which helps us to become affirmative minded people. Movies like Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Mary Kom etc. are true examples of arousing a poignant feeling for good among the audience.
e) Comedy: Films along with plays and dramas including the T.V. shows have handed a lot in making its audience express amusement. The genre of comedy movies is liked by almost all the age groups and can be enjoyed with the family. Some of the golden movies in Comedy are ‘Hera Pheri’, ‘Phir Hera Pheri’, ‘Golmaal series’ etc. These Bollywood blockbusters have always put a beam on everyone’s face. These are the movies that lend a hand to people to perk up from their day to day discouraging lives. Laughter as being said the best medication is disseminated among the audience by Bollywood at a customary basis.
Negative Effects:
a) Movies decree violence:We cannot rebuff the fact that movies today are way more sadistic than before. The film makers choose these themes which surprisingly increases their fan following by audience. Movies like these show new ways of physical abuse and torture which encourages young minds to indulge into these acts. Friday the 13th, Saw, Hostel are some of the violent movies with gratuitous bloodshed.
b) Incompatible personality:If the actors are unideal heroes then they also have unideal personalities. What the actors portray themselves on the screen is not actually what they are off screen. We as human beings are quite condemnatory; we create an opinion about others whom we don’t know quite fast. As superstars are taken as most of our role-models so in return they have a responsibility towards the society. We as fans think that our role models do not indulge in any of the evil acts but on the other side we get to hear about them as some of them are chain smokers, some are drug addicts etc. Basically they represent themselves in a way opposite of what they are on screen.
c) Adultery and sex vulgarity: Over time movie makers have turned the way of showing romance in movies. We see today that nudity has become a standard practice in most of the movies or is seen as a way to create a center of attention for audience and make movie a huge money-making success. Most of the scenes depicted straightforwardly impinge on the young as, they being immature, do not get the fundamental nature of scenes and make an effort to implement them in real life leading to despondent life problems. These are leading to a mentally and physically distressed society.
d) Some provide a wrong message: Many a times some scenes in movies depict something that is far from reality. In some, Sikhs are joked upon because of their turbans or blacks are depicted as gangsters which is not the case always. Women are also every now and then shown as lower than men and are usually treated brutally. There are occasionally superheroes performing few stunts which seem to be impracticable.
On one side movies are beneficial as a source of entertainment; on the other hand there are some fatalities as well. Movies affect everyone and their daily lives. A person should decide what to watch and go for civilized films. Watching every movie that is not meant for that age group is merely a misuse of time. Today, if we look towards the crudeness including violence related movies then they are running at the box office because there is a demand, as soon as the demand goes off, supply will come to an end. More significantly, censor board should look into the matter and stay away from the disturbing scenes that put harm to the society. In the end, movies are meant to be enjoyed and it depends on the individual to decide which movie to go for and get his/her life affected.
