Films are always considered a popular medium of entertainment. Right from decades, the film world has gained popularity and one main reason is it appeals to viewers who otherwise cannot fulfill those fantasies in real life, would rather enjoy those larger-than-life scenes on the main screen. This is why in every part of India, particularly certain Northern and Southern pockets, film stars are demigods.
The movie industry has also contributed richly to India’s soft power. Hard power is the official diplomacy by the Indian government while soft power is being able to conquer the hearts and minds of people all over the world. Precisely this is what our film industry has done. Today, if the ordinary folks of Pakistan express love for India, it is purely because of Bollywood.
In the post pandemic era, Bollywood might be facing a downturn, but let’s remember that even for those who didn’t know Hindi, still the Hindi super hit films were a popular relief and a great entertainment arena. Not to name any political party or India or take a dogmatic stand, but it’s high time we correct ourselves and our society to know where we should intervene and where we shouldn’t.
There is something called cinematic liberties which film makers have used to the maximum. Digging old scenes of movies and painting a communal angle and boycotting those star’s upcoming films has become a common trend. Whatever said and done, in Bollywood we have hardly seen any hardcore Islamist fundamentalist as most stars go for interfaith marriages and celebrate Diwali, Eid and Christmas together with joy.
Now, it is the turn of Deepika Padukone’s bikini in SRK starrer Pathaan. Maybe if Deepika went overboard with exposing, that’s a different issue. But should we really think she wore a saffron bikini to insult Hindus? Are they the opposition parties that want to defeat a particular ruling party or are they here to simply entertain the audience with song and dance. Dancing and singing and making merry on stage with romance and love stories is an age-old recipe of Bollywood and most film industries.
It's high time we maintain our stature in the world as a democratic country where every religion lives in peace. Let’s not work hard to rather see ourselves in the club of fundamentalist countries like Pakistan, Iran or censorship-based societies like China and Myanmar.
