The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Films only reflect reality, cannot set social agenda

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Feb 18, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Films only reflect reality, cannot set social agenda

Bolder films are needed to expose ills of society. Films only reflect what is happening around us. They cannot change society, say our readers.

Concepts change

WHAT IS right and wrong may not change; concepts of morality do. Let us face it. Many people compromise on morality in pursuit of wealth. Some films do show this tendency with reality. The movies only tell us what is happening and are not trying to change society.

P. Srinivas,

R.T. Nagar.

Reflects reality

IN THE 21st Century, no media, except perhaps internet, has the power to influence moral values of people. Movies only reflect what takes place around us. Teenagers may imitate the dress and mannerisms of their favourite stars, but responsible adults do not. Let us not blame filmmakers but do some introspection.

Sudha Nagaraj,

Malleswaram.

Attitudes change

ATTITUDES CHANGE over time. There is more interaction between men and women at the work place now than in the past. This sometimes allows healthy relationships to blossom. Some films try to show these changes. Moviegoers have changed and expect something going beyond the boy-meets-girl cliché. If films show unmarried men and women having a physical relationship, it does happen in real life now.

S. Pishe,

Indiranagar.

A powerful medium

MOST OF the time, films show what is happening around us, unless it is a costume drama. Extra marital relationships have been referred to even in our mythology. Value system keeps changing and it is difficult to judge others from one's own point of view. Films, like television, are a powerful medium and should be used with discretion because they can affect the thinking of people.

Joshua S.,

Langford Road.

Expect realism

ONE CANNOT expect today's films to be like yesterday's fairy tale kind; people do expect more realism. Even if movies do not show certain aberrations in society, other media will. You need only to read the crime reports in newspapers. It is not reasonable to accuse any media of corrupting morals; some people will always go astray.

G. Krishna,

New Thippasandra.

Why blame movies?

WHY BLAME movies or any other media for whatever is wrong in society? If people are bent upon breaking moral codes, they will do it anyway. Many exhibit double standards, blaming the media for "corrupting the young" while those older are setting wrong examples all the time. Filmmakers have the right to expose and question such hypocrisy.

Babita S.,

Indiranagar.

Bold themes

IMMORAL ACTIVITIES have been carried on long before the advent of films and television. Today's filmmakers are bold enough to show such things, instead of sticking to old and stale themes. Perhaps, even bolder films and more direct attacks on the ills of society are needed before we start sorting ourselves out.

B. Ram Mohan Rao,

N.R. Colony.

Blame parents

THOSE WHO shout about films inducing loose morals are often persons who break the code in their own personal lives. Others have no guilt and don't take movies that seriously. If the young today have wrong values, the older generation, including parents, are to blame.

Sridhar Pillai,

Jayanagar.

A big influence

Filmmakers borrow ideas from real-life incident. With a bit of their creativity, they add a bit of hype to them and make a grand presentation on the silver screen. This applies even to moral issues. Our mythology has several episodes of extra marital relationships. Values change and one should not sit on judgement over others. A powerful medium like cinema can influence the mindset of the people.

K. Narasimhan,

Jayanagar IX Block.

NEXT WEEK: The new Government is thinking in terms of bifurcating Bangalore Mahanagara Palike. This will be preceded by six city municipal councils and one town municipal council being brought under BMP's jurisdiction. Are these moves practical and in the best interests of citizens? Readers can send their views to Point-Blank, The Hindu, No. 19 and 21, Bhagawan Mahaveer Road, Bangalore 560001 or email bglreflections@thehindu.co.in

R.T. Nagar.

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