Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

When reel casts its spell on real life

Recently Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said that children were being influenced by smoking scenes in movies. A ban was imposed on smoking films, with little effect. Does cinema influence our children so much? If they are madly copying everything on screen, would Rajnikant’s gravity-defying stunts have been left out? So, it is up to the parents to guide the children so that they don’t get influenced by such gimmicks. Film directors can have their creative freedom, but within certain limits. They must realise that a dose of good movies might do good to the new generation.

Ajith V. Pillai

Thiruvananthapuram

Thieves keep updating their repertoire. Films provide them with the means. The Chelambra case proves that. It also shows how cinema can mould lives. We could do with more films which inculcate good values.

T.V.R. Potti

Thiruvananthapuram

The media glorify film stars for commercial reasons. The man on the street looks up to them. It is not surprising that the idea for looting the bank came from a movie. Movies have influenced other social behaviour as well. On-screen villains, flaunting the latest gizmos and ‘fool-proof’ tactics might have encouraged goonda culture in the State. Frequent reports of kidnappings, extortions, daylight murders, gang wars, maiming etc. remind one of scenes from one movie or the other.

Movie makers must be more responsible. They need not be reformers, but at least desist from misleading the common man, especially the youth.

George Thomas

Thiruvananthapuram

Movies have the strange power to play with the viewers’ emotions. The real problem arises when this power crosses limits, as happened in the Malappuram bank robbery case. The leader confessed that the operation was ‘inspired’ by the film ‘Dhoom.’ This incident brings to light the deep impact films has on the youth.

They are misled into a world of fantasy which prods them into foolhardy deeds. Mentally disturbing scenes can corrupt a tender mind. It is important that films be treated as a means of entertainment. Let them not be dragged into our lives.

Harikumar J.S.

Thiruvananthapuram

The younger generation of the most literate State in India takes pride in imitating film personalities. Their hairstyles and wardrobe are copied to the minute details. So, when a bank robbery is blamed on cinema, there is no reason to feel shocked. The fact is what we imbibe from a movie, book or some other media will stay in our minds for some time and we will have a tendency to develop them according to the situation. How deep the influence is will depend on the individuals, their background and social commitment.

Maju Balakrishnan

Thiruvananthapuram

Cinema is accepted mostly as a medium of entertainment. At the same time, no form of art can function in a vacuum and divorce itself from the socio-economic realities. The film going public in Kerala is generally perceived as sensible patrons of good cinema. Film celebrities are not lionised as in other States. However, it cannot be denied that some films glorify crime, violence, defiance of law, consumerism, etc. The record number of suicides and increasing number of crimes against women have been partly attributed to the baleful influence of cinema. The Censor Board is not expected to act as a moral watchdog of the society. Any overzealous application of the scissors will infringe on artistic freedom. The best way to ensure that films do not corrupt the viewers, especially the impressionable young minds, is internal regulation by the industry.

Also, the public should patronise only films which espouse socially relevant themes.

V.N. Mukundarajan

Thiruvananthapuram

Are we not mature enough to set limits to the influence a film can have on us? Movies are for entertainment, a way to rejuvenate ourselves. Many young people imitate what they see on screen, even criminal acts. It may not be possible to link the recent shooting incidents in schools to a media, which glorifies violence. But the fact that these teenagers were carrying around loaded guns and had no qualms about putting them to use on public streets strongly suggests such an influence. The attitude of parents can make a whole lot of difference. Let them guide children to good movies, help the little ones distinguish good from bad.

Gowri G.

Thiruvananthapuram

Check the list of robbery, looting and murder cases. It can be safely concluded that most of the ideas have sprouted from films. The film industry scrupulously research new ideas, come up with wonderful scripts. Sadly, these are later implemented in real life. It is better if we launch a movement against such evil practices in films.

Koshy Ninan

Thiruvalla

Parents racing after material gains have little time for children these days. And the latter, live in a surreal world, in constant quest of acceptance from peers and society. Tendency to copy film scenes arises from this quest. Should they be held responsible? Can parents, elders and society as such, wash their hands of this trend?

Sarita Sadasivan

Thiruvananthapuram

Cinema depicts both the good and bad sides of life. It is an irony that some are inspired by the dark side. Nobody claims to have become a better human being after seeing a good film. Only those who nurture negative thoughts and those attracted to crimes and violence are adversely influenced by films. The idea cannot be generalised.

Hanish Pavithran

Thiruvananthapuram

Films influence people, one way or the other. Mostly, the negative results are highlighted. But some films give relevant social messages too. We are the ones who must draw a line between films and life. Ideally, try to enjoy films. Look at them as a means of relaxation. Leave the fancy world behind, in the theatre, when you head home.

Nazia R. Hassan

Thiruvananthapuram

Earlier, movies used to impart moral values and instil awareness against social evils. Themes like family bondage, unsound political affairs, religious values and virtues were the highlights. But new generation movies are just money-minting machines. Crores of rupees are invested in this alluring business. Youngsters iconise ‘stars.’ Vices of the yore become virtues.

Movies now eulogise drinking, cheating, swindling, rape, bullying and robbery. They are bound to have some impact on the minds of youths. Incidents of children being gunned down by mates are becoming frequent even in India. Would someone explain the yardstick adapted by the censor board to evaluate violent movies, fondly dubbed ‘action’ movies? Or is it time to censor the Censor Board?

Chippy Richy Cherian

Kochi

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