I agree with the views expressed about the powerful potentials of films on the minds of gullible human beings (PDNdt19-8-72) The traditional standard of Indian films needs no elaboration as any three films would proclaim the box-office formula of the producers. Songs, sex and suspense connected with crime still dominate the Indian films. Films without songs, sex or suspense may win awards but not fortune. Sex has become the gilt-edged-security of film producers who make fortunes out of teen-age torso. Sex appeal is freely served to the spectators by clever display of anatomical amplitudes of the heroine either by abbreviation of clothes or by judicious sequences in the plot. The new wave films are only some novel improvement in the technique of serving sex appeal. Songs are often replete, incongruous and devoid of poetic content. Films on crime are based on absurd plots, where characters are drawn into situations unknown to human experience and unacceptable to common sense. Often a well-photographed film is a treat to the eye but a torture to the head. These films propagate any number of myths. The biggest myth is the happy ending. It assures the public that in life everything comes out all right in the end. The films show characters either completely in black or in white. This is also unrealistic. The good and bad co-exist in every individual. On the screen, we see a man who makes things happen. He loves the most beautiful girl and vanquishes anything that comes his way. What is shown in the films does not happen in real life.
An average Indian film goes on racking ones nerves and hurting ones sensibilities with a brazen display of almost total ignorance of art, reality and common-sense. It is unfortunate that such a powerful medium should squander its potentials in wasteful and harmful topics. Films being the most popular avenue of entertainment to the masses, should be intelligent and entertaining, tickling the heart and at the same time stirring the mind. Films should hold the mirror to society, as their potential to do harm is greater than their capacity to do good.
Films should therefore desist from spreading the unhealthy influence, particularly in the minds of young and impressionable persons, by glorifying free love, sex and crime. I feel the emergence of Hippies, LSD, drugs sexual revolution etc. are partly a result of the harmful commercial techniques adopted by the film producers.
My views published in Indian Express, Hindu, Poona Daily News etc.,during 1972....Thirty-five years later, the Silver Screen has not changed much, except in technology. The mainstream cinema is still sticking to the age old box-office formula. The Indian film-goer gazes for different aspects of entertainment, looking for everything in one film, at one go. The contemporary regional films have made a fresh start, reflecting true Indian spirit, culture and local traditions, satisfying selected pockets of filmgoers.
An average Indian film goes on racking ones nerves and hurting ones sensibilities with a brazen display of almost total ignorance of art, reality and common-sense. It is unfortunate that such a powerful medium should squander its potentials in wasteful and harmful topics. Films being the most popular avenue of entertainment to the masses, should be intelligent and entertaining, tickling the heart and at the same time stirring the mind. Films should hold the mirror to society, as their potential to do harm is greater than their capacity to do good.
Films should therefore desist from spreading the unhealthy influence, particularly in the minds of young and impressionable persons, by glorifying free love, sex and crime. I feel the emergence of Hippies, LSD, drugs sexual revolution etc. are partly a result of the harmful commercial techniques adopted by the film producers.
My views published in Indian Express, Hindu, Poona Daily News etc.,during 1972....Thirty-five years later, the Silver Screen has not changed much, except in technology. The mainstream cinema is still sticking to the age old box-office formula. The Indian film-goer gazes for different aspects of entertainment, looking for everything in one film, at one go. The contemporary regional films have made a fresh start, reflecting true Indian spirit, culture and local traditions, satisfying selected pockets of filmgoers.
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