RANDOM MUSINGS

The unbelievable violence depicted in Indian movies, especially Telugu ones, is a matter of serious concern for the responsibilities of our filmmakers. The common refrain for such beyond comprehension violence, of course, is that “art imitates life”. However, the kind of violence shown in our movies, especially with the ‘superstars’, ‘celebrities’, and ‘legends’, has an absolute disconnect with either urban or rural life. It is gory and ruthless, and it points to an absolute lawlessness in the land. Mass murders using weapons of the most imaginative kind are a terrible insult to the entire culture and the administration of the land. However, the reverse of “life imitating art” definitely happens. A society where peace and respect for the law need to ingrain themselves deeply now finds justification for its abnormal behavior through these movies. One cannot justify, in any healthy society, highly paid stars glorifying crime and violence the way they are doing it in their movies. The movie makers are not transmitting entertainment, values, or information to society but only perversions with the sole purpose of making money. Art, perhaps for its own sake, seeking the ultimate, has been the driving force of Indian culture. Such grand definitions of art bear no meaning today in our society. However, in these troubled times, art has a huge responsibility towards society, and movies are simply the most popular and effective in impacting society. Thus, the great power inherent in it calls for a greater responsibility towards society and culture. Can we, as a first step, tone down the mindless violence and absolute lack of values depicted in our movies?