We Indians are deeply attached with movies. We like to watch
movies, follow them and inculcate that cinematic dynamism or filmyness in our
lives. Its fun entering our own house uttering “Maa, mai aa gaya!” Movies in
India go beyond entertainment. They have become our habit, our lifestyle.
I doubt
which of the following influences is more profound: The influence of films on
society or that of the society on films. For time being let us focus on impact
of films on society. People like being influenced by cinema. They are normally
tired of their routine lifestyle and want some relief. And cinema provides them
this relief. People want to forget all their worries while watching a movie.
This is a prime reason why people favour populist cinema rather than art or
realistic genre.
In past
100 years of Indian cinema, films have showed varied aspects: entertainers,
pot-shot takers, comic capers, thought provokers etc etc etc. But there is no
denying that people want cinema as a relief-giver. We want the hero or heroine
to do all those things that we can’t do. We want our own story on screen, with
twists and turns and all the Masala. And somewhere at the back of our mind, we
also want our real life story to be ‘Filmy’. It’s just what Ramadheer Singh
says in Gangs of Wasseypur, “Jab tak
Hindustan me ’saneema’ rahega, log aise hi ‘Ullu’ bante rahenge. Sabke dimag me
apni apni picture chal rahi hain…”
And ironically, this dialogue got popular due to the ‘Saneema’ itself!!
