Cinema in Society | Javed Akhtar | TEDxIIFTDelhi

Summary

The speaker explores the relationship between cinema and society, emphasizing how movies both influence and reflect societal values, aspirations, and anxieties. The evolution of heroes, villains, and themes in Indian cinema is highlighted, showing how they mirror changes in social, economic, and political conditions. The impact of urbanization, economic divides, and the shift from rural to multiplex audiences are discussed, with a hopeful view on the younger generation’s evolving values. The speaker believes this new generation will bring a deeper, more meaningful cinema in the future.

Takeaways

• 🎥 Cinema is deeply intertwined with society, reflecting its hopes, dreams, and struggles.
• 🎭 Cinema is a fusion of many art forms: literature, music, visual arts, acting, and more, making it a powerful medium of expression.
• 🎬 The portrayal of heroes and villains in cinema changes with societal shifts, reflecting evolving economic, political, and social values.
• 📽️ The concept of rebellion in cinema evolved from self-destruction (e.g., Devdas) to family defiance, and later to anger against societal systems (angry young man era).
• 🦸‍♂️ Over time, cinema villains shifted from feudal landlords to capitalists, gangsters, and even politicians, reflecting the concerns of different eras.
• 🎞️ Female characters in cinema have evolved, with traditional, submissive roles like Meena Kumari's fading as society modernized.
• 💡 Cinema both influences and reflects society, offering symbols, icons, and narratives that resonate with audiences' subconscious desires.
• 🎟️ The shift from small-town to multiplex audiences has altered the types of films being made, with an emphasis on urban and global concerns over rural issues.
• 🌍 Modern protagonists in cinema no longer come from the working class but are often portrayed as wealthy, detaching films from the realities of most people's lives.
• 📈 As society progresses, younger generations have better aesthetics, values, and morals, leading to the hope for better, more meaningful cinema in the future.

Q & A

What is the primary theme discussed in the script?

The primary theme discussed in the script is the relationship between cinema and society, exploring how cinema reflects societal values, aspirations, and transformations, and how societal changes influence cinema.

How does the speaker differentiate between art and circus?

The speaker differentiates art from circus by stating that while both entertain, art has deeper functions beyond mere entertainment. It reflects and engages with societal issues, unlike circus, which solely aims to amuse.

What analogy does the speaker use to explain how commercial cinema reflects society?

The speaker uses the analogy of dreams, explaining that just as dreams are symbolic representations of reality, commercial cinema also uses its own language to portray societal truths, even if the films are not strictly realistic.

How does the speaker describe the evolution of the 'hero' in Indian cinema?

The speaker explains that the 'hero' in Indian cinema evolved from figures like Devdas, who represented the dying feudal system, to rebellious characters in the post-independence era, to the angry young man of the 1970s, reflecting society's changing values and frustrations.

Why did the villain in Indian cinema change over time?

The villain in Indian cinema evolved with societal changes. Initially, it was the feudal zamindar, then the capitalist mill owner during urbanization, followed by the urban gangster, and eventually politicians and police, reflecting shifts in society's trust and moral standards.

What does the speaker say about the role of women in earlier Indian cinema?

The speaker notes that earlier Indian cinema portrayed women like Meena Kumari’s characters, who were self-sacrificing and idealized, but such characters have become obsolete as society has changed and no longer accepts such portrayals.

How does the speaker view the impact of multiplexes on Indian cinema?

The speaker believes multiplexes have led to greater variety in films but also created a divide. The multiplex audience, which is wealthier, is less interested in films addressing socio-economic issues, leading to a focus on more glamorous, less realistic content.

What societal shift does the speaker highlight in terms of cinema audiences and protagonists?

The speaker highlights that earlier cinema protagonists were from working-class backgrounds, such as taxi drivers and farmers. However, modern protagonists are often wealthy and disconnected from real societal issues, reflecting the tastes of a more affluent audience.

How does the speaker feel about the younger generation of filmmakers and audiences?

The speaker is optimistic about the younger generation of filmmakers and audiences, believing that they have better values, aesthetics, and morality than previous generations, and that they will demand and create more meaningful cinema.

What message does the speaker convey about the future of Indian mainstream cinema?

The speaker is hopeful about the future of Indian mainstream cinema, believing that as societal values evolve, cinema will become more sensitive and profound, reflecting the growing depth and awareness of the younger generation.