news details |
|
|
| Not according to script: Terror films boost bias | | | MUMBAI, Sept 19: Many films in recent times have tried to explore the issue of fundamentalism and terrorism in different types of stories.
Mumbai Meri Jaan—based on the 2006 Mumbai train blasts—had actors who looked like ordinary Mumbaikars and spoke like anyone one normally meets in the course of a day. The characters were wore no make-up and the film had no song and dance sequences.
Similarly, Mission Istanbul and Hijack were based the real life IC-814 hijack incident. The movies heavily relied on pyro-techniques and loud drama, and exploited the stereotypes.
Last year’s superhitBheja Fry, hailed as new-league cinema, set a more disturbing example. A Muslim character in this film openly supports Pakistan in a cricket match. Many said the film exploited Muslim stereotype in a negative manner.
That begs the question, do Bollywood films move beyond the stereotypes or do they only contribute to existing prejudices in our society? CNN-IBN’s show Face the Nation raised that question.
On the panel of experts to debate the issue were actor Aamir Bashir, who played the role of police officer Jai Pratap Singh in A Wednesday; Pavan Malhotra, who played the role of Tiger Memon in Black Friday; S Hussain Zaidi, author of Black Friday; and Meenakshi Shedde, film critic.
Who imitates whom
At the start of the show, 70 per cent of viewers felt that cinema did indeed promote violence and prejudice and only 30 per cent begged to differ.
Many filmgoers wonder why films like the acclaimed A Wednesday strike a chord with the audiences and at the same time, other films lose out to audience.
Aamir Bashir felt that the film reflected an existing sentiment in the society today. “It is the sign of the times. I do not think A Wednesday promotes prejudice in any way. It only reflects the prejudice that already exists in our society,” he said.
But for many, the idea that a common man must take up arms and take law into his own hands is chilling and disturbing. Is it okay for films to promote these kinds of ideas to people?
Chilling messages and the need to moderate
Meenakshi Shedde said A Wednesday was well crafted as a thriller, but admitted she was extremely disturbed by the message. She said she would have agreed if the film’s argument fitted well.
But the idea of citizens wanting to free terrorists, who have already been caught only so that they (the people) can kill with their own hands, is chilling. Even as an internal logic, that is not justified.
Shedde felt that the same thing was very subtly done in Mumbai Meri Jaan.
Do not read too much into a film
Aamir Bashir felt that the role of cinema is apolitical, asexual and not at all as omnipotent as being analysed by the panel. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
