The Myths That Some Cinema Makers Suffer From!
The film directors and producers of the current generation are seriously suffering from a whole lot of misconceptions regarding the choices of commoners….methinks!
According to them… the commoners will not watch a film:
- if they do not show us ‘negligibly’ clad cheap Item girl.
- if there are no ‘soft-porn’ scenes showing nudity and sassiness of couples playing the lead role.
- if they do not show some fairy-tale like unreal & mushy story
Citing the example of Mr. Satyajit Ray
Mr. Satyajit Ray is one of the greatest Indian filmmakers of the 20th century.
Ray’s first film, Pather Panchali (1955), won eleven international prizes, including the Best Human Document at the 1956 Cannes Film Festival.
Let me elaborate a bit on this film. Just the summary.
This film showed the truth – the utter, bitter and nothing but the truth.
The film showed dire poverty and how humans are dying because of dearth of food, hygiene and medical care! Basically all the things that define ‘poverty’.
In spite of the ‘grey, sad and melancholic’ content of the film, it received many awards. It was a super-duper hit.
Most of his films were based on simplicity – showing the essence of Bengal. Showcasing what Bengal is all about. What does it suffer from. Such films awaken the spirit. Makes a person reflect upon the ‘ways of life’ and pushes him or her to do something worthwhile for those who are suffering!
Conclusion –
Just like scientists carry forward works of great ex-scientists, so should cinema makers try to emulate the creative works of the likes of Mr. Satyajit Ray!
Since films are usually considered the ‘window’ of the nation, it becomes imperative for the film makers to take positive steps to improvise on the content of their films! …or else foreigners will certainly think of us Indians as billions of blue (sex-starved) blistering barnacles and street urchins!!
