The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Filmmakers have a responsibility

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Aug 05, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Filmmakers have a responsibility

Our readers say that by glorifying criminals, makers of films and television serials are promoting wrong values among the youth.

Anarchy glorified

Popular entertainment, whether films or television serials, shows many negative traits of people.

The betrayal-revenge formula dominates soaps in all languages. Crimes and criminals are glorified. And those who take the law into their hands are portrayed as heroes. While one may want to fight a corrupt system, anarchy need not be encouraged.

A. Krishnaswamy,

Basavanagudi

Stereotypes

It was thought the new wave cinema would do away with stereotyped villains and those who make it rich through crime. This has not happened. There is violence in films and on television, and those who frown upon kissing scenes condone violence. It is one thing to emote and another to be emotional and react violently. Large-scale killings of "enemies" have become common on the big and small screens.

R. Ramesh,

J.P. Nagar

Promote values

While popular films promote the "get rich quick" formula, there have been exceptions. Television channels lack good comedy programmes; laughter with a message is better than melodrama.

We need entertainment that promotes positive human values. If youth are misguided, those who make films and television serials need to share the blame.

G. Krishnamurthy,

Banashankari

No responsibility

Too much of blood and gore and "item numbers" and pious sentiments by the hero; these have come to stay despite all technical advantages that filmmakers enjoy. Some television channels keep showing what is a jet-set life. Some youth do hanker for such things and go in for crime to make quick money. The social responsibility of mass entertainment has been forgotten.

S. Prishe,

Indiranagar

Wrong message

If offbeat films such as "Black" can win awards, why do filmmakers keep returning to stale formulas? Very few films or television serials show positive aspects of life; most are filled with plots, betrayals, and revenge to the exclusion of good human values. The way even fraud and conmen are made to appear cleverer than the police is ridiculous. Law-enforcers are often shown in a poor light, sending out a wrong message to young minds.

D.S. Manjunath,

R.T. Nagar

Discrimination

A good comedy show is any day better than all those serials filled with negative emotions. Women continue to be shown as helpless if not stupid and in need of support of men. The bias still rules popular entertainment. When will the gutsy young woman get her due on the small screen?

Karen Anand,

Austin Town

Aggravating stress

All the plots and sub-plots in most television serials boil down to plotting against others until the tide turns and it is time for some violent manner of taking revenge. The good triumphs over evil only after the villains enjoy themselves for about 150 episodes. It is only in a few films you find harmless comedy that makes you laugh. Why should "entertainment" add to stress levels?

Radha Sharma,

Indiranagar

Crimes as pranks

Projecting too many negative emotions and actions in the name of entertainment misguides young people. Everything from eve teasing to impersonation is shown as a harmless prank. In real life, these are crimes. Even those addicted to television serials are looking for a change and are fed up with what they see. Television channels should take an opinion poll to find out for themselves.

Priya Fernandes,

Wheelers Road

NEXT WEEK: The young are indifferent to politics, politicians and the exercise of voting to elect a government. To their credit, many politicians have discredited themselves after making tall promises. Is there scope for the young to be more actively involved in public life and is there room in political scene for educated young people with ideals to make a difference? Readers are invited to write to Point-Blank, The Hindu, No. 19, Bhagwan Mahaveer Road, Bangalore 560001 or email bglreflections@thehindu.co.in

Basavanagudi

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