Hey there! That’s right. Today we are going to talk about our favorite source of entertainment – The Fantasy world of cinema.
It might be surprising if we deny the fact that we are not aware of some of the classic movies of India – right from Mughal-e-Azam, Sholay, Amar Akbar Anthony to all of classic Shahrukh Khan and Salman Khan movies. These movies portray some of the important yet simplistic elements and values like friendship, family, societal values and cultural norms, sacrifice and so on. The movie plot, songs and music were simple to understand yet profound leaving a deep impact on the spectators. That generation of cinema was considered golden and evergreen which we watchable by all at any time of their lives and which also became the epitomes of art and theater for aspiring artists into the movie industry.
On the contrary, today’s movie era is so much different from what it was before. The plot is simple but very easily predictable – There’s a hero, who ultimately has to find the the love of his life (basically the girl who is the prettiest of all and who makes his heart race) a nemesis who tries to split both of them or is against their union (most commonly the heroine’s father, brother, their family or the society) and a bunch of supporting artists on either sides. Indeed, you can argue that the plot of classics is also somehow on the same line as that of the contemporary cinema; but there’s so much more to a classical cinema which can attract everyone immediately. The plot though having the hero, heroine and the villian concept has a value addition in the form of costumes, language, music and dance and most importantly the concept of true authenticity, happiness and the concept of being loved.
These features of the classics make them attractive and watchable by all. Even the villian is not portrayed as this really bad and evil guy who likes color black or who often wants to hurt others (as is being shown in soap operas). They’re our own loved ones doing things which hurt someone knowingly or unknowingly because they think it’s right or ethically correct from their perspective. For instance, in DDLJ, heroine’s father (played by Amrish Puri) trusts her daughter and gives her permission to go on a Europe trip, but is against Kajol marrying Shahrukh because of his own reasons like him deciding already as to who’s going to be Kajol’s fiancee plus the behaviour of the hero with him during the hero’s visit to his shop. And not because he’s against the concept of love marriage as being understood by some set of audience. If that was the case, then why would say those iconic words at the end of the movie letting Kajol go along with the hero? (oh because he somehow suddenly realizes that Kajol really likes this guy!)
But some movies though labelled classic, depict somethings otherwise. Sometimes through these movies, we are made to believe stuff like True love exists, First love is your true love and love begins through friendship, women are restricted to their domestic chores and home, Hero depicts ultimate masculinity by protecting the heroine or always doing what is considered morally and ethically considered right by the people.
Allow me to clarify – True love exists? yes, it does but its not like someone from faraway fantasy land is going to come someday and take you into his arms. Also just because someone is saving you or protecting you, he is considered your true love. You can consider having thoughts like the concept of true love but those thoughts should not evade you fro your reality and affect your relationship with your actual loved ones. Like say for example you considered someone as your true love, attach your unrealistic obligations and expectations like what you see in movies and then when they break your heart by doing/ not doing something, put that blame entirely on them and immerse yourself with the stuff like,’Oh! the world is a harsh place to live. We should not trust anyone.’ True love may or may not necessarily begin fro friendship. Your love interest can be/ become your friend, but not all your friendships can become your true love. Understanding it?
Women of today are no longer restricted to their homes and domestic work. The world is increasingly becoming dynamic to accommodate all types of people, whether male, female or others and the concept of masculinity is seen more as a concept by people having a narrow mindset and attracting hatred towards those who portray or promote it. In addition to these points, there should be no denial that society has its own established order upon which it continues to function. Challenging the same is considered brave, foolish or ignorance but we also do have to realise that this order is formed from numerous assumptions over multiple decades and you outrightly saying that the order itself is wrong or has to be changed, it requires time, patience, cooperation and a humongous amount of understanding which again requires time.
All in all, what I wanted to say is, enjoy your movie and leave your thoughts there. Ignorance can be a bliss sometimes, isn’t it?
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