Lights, Camera; Emotion!

The slightly cool breeze of the air conditioning passes over your feet. You fold your hands and you find yourself in the most comfortable state. It is so dark that you can only see the eyes of the person sitting beside you. It's time, and you hear the soft music in the background. Slowly and steadily the surroundings start consuming you. You are right in the middle of the theatre and you realize that the film has already begun. 

Films are an evident part of a human's life. They not only impact that one person sitting in the audience but also play a role in shaping the mindset of society as a whole. While talking about the impact of films the National Library for Medicine states that – “The studies reveal the influence of films on people’s beliefs and opinions, stereotypes and attitudes. Movies can have a significant impact on gender and ethnic stereotypes change attitudes towards certain groups of people and cause newly formed opinions on various issues.” While in the opinion of some, a film has to have the sole purpose of entertainment, it must be considered that the impact a film has on human thinking patterns and behavior is also exceptional. 

In India, the film ‘Sholay’ was released in 1975. Even today there revolves an idea of explicit interest for the film around the country. Well, what makes the film so special? The cast, the music, or the ear-catching dialogues? The film added thrill to the living of the common man assuring the win of good over bad even while crossing the rules of the society. Sholay makes a huge difference giving instrumental value and thus a subconscious acceptance towards male friendships. While Sholay acquires a special place in the hearts of the viewer, the effect of the film can not only affect how the viewer thinks but also how he interprets, perceives, and understands the surrounding world.

The ’90s saw a shift in movies considering themes that introduced women as the center of society. Films like Arth, Damini, Astitva, and the line of films that go till today – Pink, Thappad, English Vinglish, and Queen display the light of freedom women choose over the certain unwritten rules of patriarchy. The need for these films and the shift of attitudes of the audience towards the roles of women can be traced through the films. While it's evident that individual preferences shape media consumption, the relationship between these preferences and the psychological makeup of audiences has remained largely unexplored. Even if we consider the rise of usage of the word ‘patriarchy’ in society and the sudden movement of questioning the traditional meaning of the term we find the influence of the media as a viewer consumes. 

In a common understanding, it is often said that ‘Films are a mirror of Society’ but here we, unfortunately, fail to recognize the reciprocating nature of the relationship between films and society. A mirror does not own the capacity to think as it lacks the ability of a mind. However, when we try to consider a film as a painting, wherein the painter uses the strokes of a brush to present an opinion of his own there remains a space for the viewer to interpret the needful. We as an audience are given a chance to like or dislike the painting and thus also the painter is given the liberty to paint. Thus when we consider this perspective, the necessity of questioning films like ‘Adipurush’ and ‘Animal’ for the impact that they form as a whole feels right in place.

Even though films can be very little part of the overall experience of a man’s life, it can seen how much of a huge impact it can have on the viewer. Just give a thought to the feeling you have while walking out of the theatre. The rise and demise of emotions one feels in a specific situation can be an indirect influence of a movie a viewer is exposed to. Art is overwhelming to consume for an ordinary mind, where we regrettably underestimate the impact of films on our daily lives. We unconsciously get affected by the content we consume, wherein we need to consider how films play a crucial role.

- Maahi Gadgil