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Cinema is mirror of society through which society can reflects/exhibits its own pictures to external world. Culture is a blanket which covers the society and weaved by the threads of materialistic attributes like clothing, food habits, house city architecture and abstract attributes like social,norms, values, customs and beliefs. Cinema is capable in reflecting reality of society through systematization and polarized themes (moral/economic or political) which is not easily perceived by masses or ignored at large. Cinema not only characterized the reality of society but also helps to evaluate the existing social norms, values, customs and believes to build a capacity in the society for self analysis and thus support it for self modification,correction (new shape).
We heard a
number of Hollywood inspire suffixes like Tollywood, Kolleywood, Mollywood,
Gollywood and Pollywood which are examples of various regional cinemas in India.
Though Indian cinema covers all these forms of regional cinema but Bollywood
that many people synonymous with Indian cinema because of its large territorial
extent and inter regional character.
Indian cinema has credit of release maximum number
of movies in the world. Indian cinema reflects popular culture of india in a
melodramatic effect. By melodramatic we means portrayal of extreme situations
and actions, overt valiancy, persecution of good and final reward of virtues.
Its extravagant expression that the world governed by a moral order which is
also central theme of Indian cultural philosophy i.e. “Dharma ki hamesha jeet
hoti hai (truth always wins)”. Our debate is to find out the intensity of
cinemas impact for shaping role which is already established.
First we divide cinema in two parts regional and
inter regional cinema (national broadly). Regional cinemas mostly target the
audience having regional and parochial outlook. So its display will also
exhibit the values of particular region. This type of cinema merely depicts the
deep entrenched social values of a particular region and hardly tries to
introduce any theme contradicting to existing values. But whenever there is a
sense of change is probable and a passive acceptance ready to convert in overt
admission, cinema take the lead particularly regional because of its deep
understanding of culture of concerned society. Bollywood is watched throughout
India at large so it can better play the role of shaper of popular culture. Due
to Bollywood cultural intermingle role Bhagra and Dandia is danced throughout
India . Bollywood is also inspired from Hollywood and other international
cinema. It depicts the ultra modern values as central theme like mega cities
culture of lavish life, cosmopolitan culture of individualism, live-in partnership,
homosexuality etc. These types of characterization have accountable impact on
Indian youth. Prime minister Nehru once stated, “…the influence in India of
films is greater than books and newspaper combined.” Cinema has become powerful
vehicle for culture, education, leisure and propaganda. Cinema is wholly unique
form of art where visual simulations make you emotionally stable with leisure
and entertainment. Highly accessible social art form cinema generally cuts
across economic lines. At the same time, attending the cinema allows for the
excuse of personal preference and the human need for distinction. That is why
its impact is much broader, deep and durable than other art forms.
For the last 100 years cinema has been shaping and
reflecting Indian culture. Both culture and cinema influence each other. Cinema
has been changing in its ethical motif with the changing conditions
(socio-political and economic) and values of culture. Culture and cinema
communicate bidirectional that is why cinema is always relevant and depicts the
social reality through which it has been so popular among masses. Let us have a
look our changing portrayal of values by cinema
Before independence: mythology and strong women are
dominant themes because of crisis of masculinity in political dominance.
After independence: Three themes parallel occupied the cinema
1. The
state emblem (courtroom portrayals)
2. Rural urban debate under confusion of what is
modernization
3. East
west cultural debate Rajkumar movies show the darkness of cities life by Barsat
ki rat, Awara, Fauji as central character to depicts loyalty towards nation. Mother
India prioritized the community life above any relation which was also the
message of patriotism. Afterwards Devdas, Agnipath were inspired from shattered dreams of
socialism and equality and showed how dominant class exploiting the masses and
immune to social culpability.
1980s theme Ek duje ke liye, Love
story and Quamat se qyamat tak to challenge establish values (regional,
religious or class differences) in starting of liberal era.
After liberalization:
1. Disenchantment with politics of urban middle particularly because of their raised awareness and aspirations (Shool, Satya, and Rang se basanti) formerly personal value politician targeted not of their being politician.
2. Celebration of business class (formerly despised by masses) – Guru, Baazigar, Hum aapke hai kaun
3. Individual aspiration after state withdrawal and opening of economy (Bunty aur babali, Guru, 3 Idiots)
4. Illegality considered as enterprise (Bunty aur Babi, Doom1- 2-3, Kaminey, Jnnat)
5. Show off India’s spending power (Jindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Yejawani hai deewani) but portrayals loosened interpersonal bonds not as Sangam and Lalkar.
At last cinema is itself a part of culture like no marriage is complete without dancing on Bollywood songs. Electoral campaign is done by patriot theme based songs. Disco culture though borrowed from west heavily dependent on latest Bollywood songs.
1. Disenchantment with politics of urban middle particularly because of their raised awareness and aspirations (Shool, Satya, and Rang se basanti) formerly personal value politician targeted not of their being politician.
2. Celebration of business class (formerly despised by masses) – Guru, Baazigar, Hum aapke hai kaun
3. Individual aspiration after state withdrawal and opening of economy (Bunty aur babali, Guru, 3 Idiots)
4. Illegality considered as enterprise (Bunty aur Babi, Doom1- 2-3, Kaminey, Jnnat)
5. Show off India’s spending power (Jindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Yejawani hai deewani) but portrayals loosened interpersonal bonds not as Sangam and Lalkar.
At last cinema is itself a part of culture like no marriage is complete without dancing on Bollywood songs. Electoral campaign is done by patriot theme based songs. Disco culture though borrowed from west heavily dependent on latest Bollywood songs.