FROM SCREEN TO SOCIETY

“Can cinema impact the society?” is a question that is visible all over twitter whenever a film is released with controversial themes. Words like misogyny, toxic, problematic are thrown around. It needs to be analyzed whether the collective moral compass of the entire population is so fickle that a mere 2 to 3 hours can be so influential.

Bollywood undeniably plays a role in shaping the Indian culture and society. Movies from the 50s presented a socialist phase of Hindi cinema, offering phenomenal representations of the working class in a newly-independent nation. The 60s-70s were a period of romance-musicals and action features, but the problem arose with the new era of the 90s. The 90s gave rise to the regressive ideas, especially love. Patriarchal themes are prevalent in the so-called “family films”. A conservative mindset seemed to kick in during this period. And along with it came the troubling glorification of stalking.

It’s very amusing how Bollywood ushered in a social conditioning by which the deplorable behavior of a guy always roaming around, persistently pursuing a girl, eve-teasing, bashing up bad guys, lauding her with gifts, in hope of “winning” her was romanticized as protective, caring and loving. Another aspect is the promotion of a false and misguided notion of a soulmate — the perfect human who took birth on this planet just because you both can love each other. This soulmate has no past or future, she doesn’t care about her career, job, or family. Once she meets you, there will be bells ringing, songs playing in the background, winds blowing and whatnot. And after you woo her, the only task she has is to free you from the shackles of loneliness.

When Hollywood was experimenting with Terminator, Jurassic Park and promoting scientific temperament, Bollywood was serving us this stupidity. And this definitely has to do with the promotion of a confused and distorted understanding of love. Yes, there was a parallel cinema movement producing quality films by auteurs like Shyam Benegal, Govind Nihalani, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, which promoted realism and had a socio-political commentary. But what was the eventual result? These films appealed to a specific set of audience which came from the upper strata of the society, and due to commercial factors, the movement withered away.

Coppola changed the Hollywood in the 70s with The Godfather. Martin Scorsese, inspired by the Italian Neo-realism, came up with his own raw interpretation of desire, greed, loneliness, and other human emotions. Let’s take Taxi Driver as an example. Travis Bickle is a lonely individual hoping for a reform in the dying society. Disappointed with everything, he takes the plunge and we know what happens to him ultimately. Does this imply one should emulate Travis Bickle to bring in societal change? How many Travis Bickles did the film produce? The problem lies with the writing in Bollywood which transforms a mass-murdering individual into a hero.

But we do not cater to the western audience. We live in a country where someone will get inspired by Radhe Mohan from Tere Naam, will get that haircut and bully others or coerce a woman into reciprocating his feelings. The recent examples of much controversial Kabir Singh and Animal can be seen in a certain light. Kabir Singh portrays an ace student who does ragging, can beat anyone due to his short-temper. Enters Preeti who came to a medical institute to become a doctor. Kabir sees her, falls in love at the first sight and is her boyfriend now without her approval. After falling in love, her medical aspirations take a backseat and thus begins the montage of ‘mutual love’. Heartbreak happens, Kabir goes on a full self-destructive mode, and at the end they get back together. But he did not learn anything in his journey. He still behaves rashly. So, what was the point of the film? Yes, it ostensibly addresses caste but it remains peripheral. What was the central theme of the story? Rather it glorifies bullying, substance abuse, etc. because it is shown in a glorified light. And yes, it does affect people. If not the urban population, then definitely the tier-three cities, towns and villages.

The release of Animal sparked off several controversies that it promotes misogyny and violence and what not. However, the audience forgot the fact that it was a film that was rated A, and catered to mature adults who can make choices for themselves. The character of Ranvijay was flawed and he always contradicts his words with actions. For example — he calls out the love for his father to hide his own violent instincts and justify those activities. In one scene, he says to her wife that he loves her and will always be loyal to her, but eventually cheats. In another scene, he wants her sister to be independent and stand up for herself but later insists on looking for a groom himself. Those who have seen The Godfather can easily see that most of the film was taken from it. Also, when he cheats, a romantic song starts playing. Why? Weren’t you showing a morally reprehensible act?

The issue with the film is that it doesn’t focus on his psychotic behavior but rather amplifies it. This can give rise to the production of more loud and violent movies, because it is a old habit of Bollywood to churn out similar products that worked in the past, restricting creativity. Had the director consulted with a psychology professional, the movie could have at least started a conversation about childhood trauma, sociopathy or other mental health issues. And we have seen it in the past with Taare Zameen Par and how it started a conversation around dyslexia. 3 Idiots also called out a societal flaw by depicting the hypocrisy of Indian parents. So, one thing is clear that audience in India are sensitive and can be influenced.

But the difference in a Kabir Singh and an Animal goes back to the conditioning. Animal can be given a benefit of doubt because nobody is killing people on a regular or daily basis and it is a revenge-drama. We have been served love stories mostly and this is why the behavior of the protagonist in a Kabir Singh or a Tere Naam or a Raanjhanaa can be influential. In fact, even our Bhai was hesitant on doing the film as he believed that it can trigger the youth.

One should not have a problem with a story being told. You can call out the mistakes, but to say that not making it is the solution is not the solution. If written with an awareness and a more objective approach, it can surely broaden the understanding of right and wrong. Thankfully, the post-covid Bollywood is experimenting with genres and trying to remove the stigma around it. One should always be up for questioning his/her own morality but should also have the sense of rationality. There is a reason why a Raging Bull cannot work in India, but we can certainly hope for a better future. Till then, keep enjoying sigma edits.