It is through art that human creativity, talent and imagination are expressed or portrayed. The beauty of art lies in how it unites people beyond boundaries. Art helps us understand the different cultures, traditions, human experiences, etc. and it plays a vital role in everyone’s life.
Cinema is a magnificent combination of the arts, literature and science. Cinema reflects society as a whole. We can convey our opinions and beliefs through the art, whether it be through literature or film. It is a means to challenge numerous problems hurting our society and let our creative minds run free. We can see that Science examines the man and his environment, whereas art and literature are mirrors of life that depict the moments of life experiences.
Every film is produced and filmed in a particular culture. The aim of Indian cinema has always been to present Indian culture in all of its forms. Movies reflect our beliefs and social interactions; they are an essential element of who we are. Films make it simpler to understand our issues, views, foibles, and strengths. Various online platforms have made people aware of global cultures and practices. Filmmakers now have more freedom of expression because of the rise of OTT services like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+Hotstar etc.
Netflix, which is an online streaming service that offers a wide selection of films and shows to users from all over the world. Netflix streams films in several languages that depict various civilisations and traditions, allowing viewers to learn about the cultures of other countries from anywhere in the world. It can be seen that family relationships, in particular the joint family system, and several events like weddings, engagement parties, etc. are recurring events depicted in Indian films.
A change in these trends can become challenging. Controversy has always surrounded films that explore forbidden subjects, political incidents, or things that influence people’s emotions. We may or may not sometimes assess ourselves and accept change when our prevailing notions and views are questioned in films. Things might not be the same in every case as views differ from person to person.
In India, the boycott culture has been haunting cinema in a completely different way. Films have received demands for a boycott as the film business returned to normal after being hit by Covid – 19 and the lockdowns. The Censor Board of Film Certification banned several films for a variety of reasons. There have been incidents where governments have resorted to banning different art forms, be it films, novels, writings or documentaries in the name of hurting the feelings of particular religions, political outfits or social groups. These movies were never given the chance to be released in theatres because they are centred on forbidden subjects like sexuality, religion, or politics. But the situation has changed now that we have access to OTT services.
However, the online phenomenon of the #Boycott trend has been widely used on social media platforms even before the release of films. Every time a single or movie poster is released, the boycott hashtag is seen all over the social media platform. Do you consider these bans to be appropriate? Voices that ought to be heard are silenced through protest and outrage. This type of blatant restriction reflects the growing intolerance in our society. Since some can’t handle the truth, it is natural why films are asked to be banned.
One must understand that films mirror society and there must be an open mind to accept these realities. For injustices to reach a wider audience, film as a medium helps in disseminating social messages.
It should be also noted that films are made with the immense efforts of people from different walks of life. I believe that ‘Content is always the King’, just like the saying one must “Never judge a book by its cover.”
Appreciate the filmmakers’ efforts and regard their creations as pieces of art. Instead of boycotting or banning trends, it is preferable to offer them the chance to perhaps improvise or as receptors of the films, people must try to accept the film as an art in itself.
Some Indian films that faced backlashes
The ban culture goes back a long way. ‘Neel Akasher Neechey’ (Under the Blue Sky), which was released in 1959, was the first movie that the Indian Government banned. The movie was subject to a two-year ban in India because of its political content. Following the OTT release, Unfreedom, Fire, Parzania, and Lipstick Under My Burkha were some of the Indian films that were banned in India. The BBC documentary India: The Modi Question, Pathaan, #BoycottVikramVedha, #BoycottBrahmastr, a, #BoycottLalSinghChaddha, and #The Kerala Story etc. are recent films that had faced the boycott trend.