Can cinema and television awaken our generation?

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Media is becoming obsession. It’s good if our younger generation uses it judiciously. Otherwise it will be a nuisance. Sometimes it may become mightier than sword opines SAVITA PAVATE.

It is depressing to note that the younger generation is adopting only the negative aspect from the cinema and television content; Instead of following the inspirational parts.

Mass media has a great influence on people’s behaviour. It is an undeniable fact that most of the people in the world have access to either television or cinema.

The teenagers form the main group in the mass, who, are often exposed to the television and movies. And this group is most prone to the change. They often try to emulate what they see on silver screen. It is common to see these youths trying to mimic the stunts and heroic actions by their role models. Many children around the country tried to follow the heroic stunts of the bollywood famous actor Hritik Roshan in the movie called Krishh and how can they forget their all time favorite shaktimaan? Most of them lost their life too by imitating the same actions.

Sometimes this will have a harmful effect as these youths try to display some violent behaviour, which they visualize from the media.

Each country and region has its own culture and it is necessary to preserve them in order to exhibit cultural diversity to the future generation. There are a lot of programs and scenes that are being telecast on television and films viz., Bidaai and Yeh rishta kya kehelata hai of star plus, convey the message of affection of parents towards their children and children’s respect towards their parents. These sorts of serials strengthen the bondage of friends and family members. The younger generation gets influenced by the negative slots of the movie. They get a false impression that they too should lead their life the way stars of Hollywood movies. The illusionary image creates an undue influence and alters them to more than their size. This might destroy the native practices and customs.

Some of the scenes in films include a lot of adult content which is not suitable for tender age group. This might pose threat in relation quotients and result in indifferent behavior. They might get attracted to such inappropriate contents and thereby indulge in antisocial activities.

Several Hindi films after independence played a sterling role in moulding modern India such as Awaara, Jagte Raho, Mother India and Do Bheega Zameen. Recent Rang De Basanti’s skilful interplay of nationalist history has a commendable success. The vital factor is the contemporary chord that is stuck among young Indians, disgusted with corruption in politics. After the release of the movie, people have raised their voice against the Jessica Lal murder case by lighting candles in front of Gateway of India.

Media has an effect on thoughts and emotions of the people that increase the likeliness of aggressive and fearful behaviour. Some of the bollywood movies inspired killers also. Some times ago, in New Delhi, the alleged killers of Sabarjit Singh and his wife at their residence were apparently inspired by a bollywood film. During interrogation, Deen Dayal who was brought to the capital from Uttar Pradesh disclosed that just hours before they stuck at the house, his friend and he had watched a movie on television. In that film the burglar enters the bedroom of the house and hits the owner on his head while he is asleep. He then ties the victim’s limbs and gags him with a tape.

Thus people’s behaviour can be affected by mass media in such a way that the youths and children begin to adopt the dramatized and imaginary actions in their life. The need has emerged at an alarming state, and media experts to look into this serious matter and to obtain suitable solutions to such problems.

Savita. Pawate.
2nd sem PGDJM

IMCR, HUBLI.