Thursday, 2 June 2016

F I L M S

A recent discussion on the subject of the relevance of the vamp in Hindi Films by me triggered this thought in my mind that a word or two must be said about the films to be made and its space in present day society leaving behind a strong message as to how we should all lead fruitful, happy and peaceful lives in this beautiful world created by the Almighty.

Hindi Films up to the end of the seventies could be termed as good and did prove themselves  as watchable with the entire family.

Later on the slow entry of violence along with a dosage of sex started trickling in and in times to come this induction of the two aspects became the main basis on a film being made.

It is not that murders in films were not there in the fifties sixties and seventies but as time went by – the films picked up brazen proportions of terror ridden murders, underworld activities using the woman in roles which hitherto they never would have dreamt in enacting.

One could argue and say that well this is part of what is happening around the world and it is being shown in films for the poorest of the poor in remote villages to be aware of the ground reality.

After the technological progress and entry of the TV, internet, YouTube and so many sources of projection of films, in addition the changing times of multi tasking, life itself has become too fast for comfort.

 Consequently the films being made are getting influenced heavily by extreme negativity, crime sex and brazen exposure of the female in too bold a manner far from respect.
The nature of films in India were so simple and the story line being the back drop of our lives in villages, there was no need of the “ Adults Only “ ( A ) certificate being given to a movie.

With the influence of the western movies and adaptation of their stories, their life styles into our stories and films, we also copied their styles of life which included exposure of the female actor more freely.

It is suggested that the film makers of the “ parallel cinema “ – if there is any such thing should pick up cudgels and be the change by adopting a slow form of commercial films not losing their strong identity by making simple films like the ones made in 50’s, 60’s and 70’s.

WAY FORWARD

What I am saying here and now can be turned on its head along with me and may be flogged by the entire youth populace but in the heart of hearts they too would quietly accept this with a smile because even they are not in clear agreement to what they are forced to see in the present day films.

It is difficult for the movie maker to revert back to showing two birds on a tree cuchoo cooing when they wish to show a love scene between the actors.

I am only hinting at the content and the story line to not show unwarranted terror, the under belly, brazen sex, mindless rapes, horrific murders which are unimaginable. 

Consensual sex as if it is normal and common. At least let us not endorse it in films like we have started banning smoking.

Our films must as a matter of principle show great dignity and respect to the role of a “ woman “. The Satyajit Ray, Mrinal Sen mindset films and stories to get a relook. The Bengali movie maker Shoojit Sircar and many more be brought under one umbrella.

Hence names like Gulzar, Javed Akhthar, Anupam Kher, Naseeruddin Shah, Ompuri, Irfan Khan, Nana Patekar, Amitabh, Dharmendra, Manoj kumar, Jeetendra, Rakesh Roshan many, many many names we have gems in our film world must be brought to a forum under the chairmanship of the thespian “ DILIP KUMAR “ and seriously discuss how the standard of Hindi and even regional movies made in our country be totally transformed into a wholesome viewers delight.


I do not know if this idea which is very strong in my mind will ever see the light of reality.  However, another voice within tells me, if all the good people of the film industry come forward for the betterment and good health of Indian Films – this could be achieved.