This write-up is in response to the article titled “Indian star says films can’t be blamed for social violence” (Jan. 22, 2013).
From the release of the first film in 1913, Indian cinema has remained the most powerful source of mass communication. For an Indian of any age, nothing is more appealing than the concept and ideas provided by an Indian film.
The first Indian Prime Minister Nehru once said: “... the influence in India of films is greater than newspaper and books combined.” Even at that early stage of cinema, Indian films were considered an influencing medium.
People, especially the younger generation, start copying the “heroes’ and “heroines,” their style, their way of living, their dialogues considering them as role models.
The criminal violence in society, too traces back to the violence depicted in films in the name of entertainment.
As different aspects of films can inspire and motivate the nation then how come the social violence has nothing to do with the violence portrayed in films?
It’s time the entertainment industry starts seeing this issue seriously. — Tasneem Ataullah, Jubail
Social violence
Social violence
