Oh So Filmy!

Films are an integral part of our lives. Whether it is a Bollywood movie or Hollywood, a Marathi movie, Gujarati or any other vernacular one, we all make it a point to watch every good movie that hits the theatre. In fact, the current and modern generations are more inclined to films than any other generation was in the past. Definitely so, movies impact our lives and affect us a lot. Literally, a lot! Don’t believe me? Here’s the proof!

Who doesn’t know the latest news of the kidnap of a young Snapdeal woman employee named Dipti Sarna? Ever since the girl went missing, social media went viral with posts regarding the issue. Snapdeal also began the campaign #HelpFindDipti to ensure their employee was safe and sound. And, after all, the drama for more than 3 days, the girl returned home safe.

So how is the incident related to the impact of movies and media on our lives? Well, the kidnapper in this case, according to the police, is a psychopath who was inspired by the 1993 Shah Rukh Khan movie, Darr. Darr was the story of a psycho lover, played by Shah Rukh Khan, who wouldn’t think of laying down his life for this lady love, played by Juhi Chawla. After over 13 years since the film’s release, who would have thought it could inspire someone and lead to such a horrific crime?

It is fate and the prayers of well-wishers that helped Dipti reach home safe and unharmed. But, what if the kidnappers would have killed her? What if they would have raped her? Who is at fault in this case? Is it the movie or the kidnapper who took a negative inspiration from it?

Well, when asked to comment on the whole incident, Shah Rukh Khan asserted that no movie is made to inspire people negatively. Criminal movies or movies that depict violence and crime are simply made to make people aware about the happenings in the society and help them be more aware and alert. It is sad that people take negative inspirations from films, shows, and TV serials and imitate them in personal life, thus spoiling their own life and disturbing the harmony of the society.

In my personal view, I agree with everything that Shah Rukh Khan has asserted in his statement. Surely, no movie or TV show is ever made to inspire people for crime and violence. We have so many criminal shows aired on the television on different channels these days. Crime Patrol, CID, Savdhan India, Gumrah, Code Red are just a few of them. All of these shows are aired to make people aware of crime and help them be more alert so as to avoid such incidents happening to them. Whether they are based on real life incidents or fiction, all of these shows aim to bring about awareness of crime in the society.

But, in the past few years, the rate of crime in the country has been rising notably. We have also had such examples in the past where the criminals have gained inspiration from TV shows like the ones mentioned above or even from movies and daily soaps. So are these shows and films actually spreading the message of peace and non-violence or promoting wrong ideas among the teenagers and youth of today?

In my view, it depends on the viewer. Taking a negative step and entering the world of crime is purely a matter of choice. We have had these TV shows and movies been aired on the television for years. Not every individual who sees them turns into a criminal. It is one’s personal view and choice whether to enter the world of crime, seek revenge from people or simply forgive and let go.

However, since the criminal shows and films have been inspiring many to resort to the world of crime these days, the question whether these shows should be aired or not still remains under debate.

But, one thing’s for sure! Movies have impacted our lives in more ways than we can list. If you are a regular social media user, you will definitely see those romantic pre-wedding photo shoots of couples, the filmy sangeet function videos and what not! Where does the inspiration come from? Films, of course! This proves the effect of the television and everything aired on it on the minds of people these days. 

Surely, our producers, directors, and distributors need to be extra vigilant about the content going on air these days. A single wrong message can wreck havoc in the society!

Movies becoming a cheap game? What are today's movies up to?

I don't know how people would take this comment of mine. Or whether they would even read this post! Movies are the love and passion of many today and I perfectly understand and respect the choices of every one. I would never say watching movies is a wrong thing but have a look at the movies today. Actually can we even call them a movie? Sorry to say this, because I know how much time, efforts and energy is invested into making a movie, barring its huge expenses. But after such a big investment of time and effort of a big and talented team, is this the outcome expected? I do not mean to criticize each and every movie that has been released lately; I agree some of them are really good and worth watching but what about the others? Are they worth all the pain and effort?

One of the most common things that can be observed in all the movies is obscenity. I mean I don't understand who has told our directors that a movie cannot go hit without infusing intimate and truly vulgar scenes in them. Forget movies guys, the songs itself boast obscenity even in their lyrics. And apart from obscenity, there is absolutely unpleasant language, violence and what not in the movies of today? What impression is this making on people, children and teenagers?

Most parents today are working and are thus not at home the whole day. And what do the children of such parents do at home the whole day? Obviously, watch TV! In fact, that is the best timepass people choose to do whenever they are along. And when they see such vulgarity on TV, imitation is inevitable. For parents trying to figure out the reason of their children's smartness, it is movies that makes them too smart and perhaps too old for their age. Perhaps, due to this, children have been behaving like young adults and teenagers, losing their innocence at an early age in school.

And then the artists who act in such movies become superstars; they are regarded as God, they are admired and followed! What should we make out from this? When a call girl sleeps with two people, she is cursed and called characterless. What about our actresses who shoot intimate scenes with multiple actors and strip openly in front of the camera that the whole world watches? Who is characterless in the true sense guys? A girl who is forced into prostitution to fill her stomach and support her family, or those who simply expose in front of the world to earn crores? I am not against Bollywood, I am not against any film industry. I am against indecency, obscenity and violence that is depicted in movies these days for God knows what reason! In fact, there have been classic films that do not have a single intimate scene but are superhits. Try to be decent and moral people, how can we depict something that is against our culture and which corrupts the innocent minds of children? Worth thinking!