Cinema is a reflection of your society: Gulzar - Times of India (2024)

FAQs

How is cinema a reflection of society? ›

In cinema, each frame, dialogue, and character has the potential to mirror the society from which it emerges. Often seen as entertainment, the film is a powerful medium for social commentary, cultural representation, and historical reflection.

Veteran writer and lyricist Javed Akhtar said on Thursday evening that Indian films have been faithfully reflecting the sentiments of the society. "Indian films have always depicted and reflected what is happening in our society. The cinema comes from the society.

Over the decades, Indian Cinema has been the source of information, entertainment and education. Cinema is a powerful means of communication, a mirror of society, a cultural agent of change and a source of history.

However, even though some films might provide a more realistic setting or storyline than others (e.g., a biopic vs a superhero film), should cinema, and in particular, Hollywood films, be a true reflection of society and equip the audience with a lens into certain realities? The answer: yes, it must.

Movies can communicate concepts, ideas and stories. They allow us to be cognitively transported to a different time or a place, and experience life through different eyes- gaining new perspectives, inspiration and understanding.

Cinema serves as a mirror to society, reflecting its joys, struggles, and complexities. Through films, we witness stories that resonate with our own experiences, making us feel connected and understood. It portrays diverse cultures, lifestyles, and issues, promoting audience empathy and understanding.

Indian cinema has helped create a positive image of India globally. It has projected India as a country of cultural richness, diversity, and tradition. Indian cinema has also helped in promoting Indian values such as family, love, and social harmony.

Attitudes about gender, class, and ethnicity, as well as heroism, work, play, and "the good life" are all portrayed in fictional films as they are in an era's novels, plays, and paintings. But as a form of mass visual entertainment, films reflect social attitudes in a specific and vivid manner.

Films steadily gained popularity across India as affordable entertainment for the masses (admission as low as an anna [one-sixteenth of a rupee] in Bombay). Young producers began to incorporate elements of Indian social life and culture into cinema, others brought new ideas from across the world.

Most importantly, cinema brings to us different cultures of the world. It introduces us to various art forms and helps us in gaining knowledge about how different people lead their lives. In a way, it brings us closer and makes us more accepting of different art forms and cultures.

What is film society movement in India? ›

In 1947 the Calcutta Film Society was formed. The idea of film societies could now germinate in other cities, and new units were formed working independently from Delhi (1956), Bombay, Madras (1957), Roorkee, Patna (1958). In 1959, Agra and Faizabad also reported the formation of their own film clubs.

Movies have a significant impact on society, influencing attitudes, behaviors, and even the way people perceive the world. Films are a powerful tool that can alter the attitudes of individuals within societies.

Kirti Kulhari Quotes

Cinema is a reflection of society and, in most cases, has the ability to be a mirror and not just show the problems but also give solutions and help them reach a large number of people through faces and voices that matter.

They can also serve as a source of moral values, helping to shape the values and beliefs of people . Additionally, films have the power to shed light on social injustices and marginalized communities, bringing awareness to these issues and advocating for social equality .

As products of mass culture, movies reflect cultural attitudes, trends, and concerns: D. W. Griffith's film The Birth of a Nation, presenting a racist perspective on the U.S. Civil War and its aftermath, reflected racist concerns of the era in which it was produced.

Drama allows people to examine their world and the people in it, leading to a greater understanding of society. Drama reflects the actions and uncertainties of our society, with its vocabulary and conventions being used to describe immense actions and situations.

Cinema, with its ability to reflect, comment on, and even shape society, holds a mirror up to the world we live in. Whether it's through thought-provoking documentaries or heartwarming romances, movies have the power to evoke emotions, ignite conversations, and drive social change.