Why are South films non-Hindu unfriendly?

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lentils

@lentils

Dazzler

Posted: 14 years ago

As a non-Hindu, I've noticed since some time that many/most South films tend to be very pro-Hindu in nature. I'm used the the showing of various deities etc, in the beginning of films as well as deities, poojas and religious songs throughout the movies. I try and just ignore it all. But recently I saw Magadheera and was shocked with the anti-Muslim message in the film.

Why do South films do this? Do directors not worry that it would push away non-Hindu sects from watching their films? Or do they really only want Hindus to watch the films?

I mean Bollywood doesn't do this. Bollywood films tend to be more neutral and many promote open-mindedness and friendly relations with other religions. I know there are exceptions in South films that do this too (like that Tamil film with Trisha portraying love between a Christian and Hindu). But it's pretty rare.

I find this trend in the South dangerous because I know that many different religions live side by side and we all know the potential of inter-religious and inter-sect conflicts in India in general and the South specifically.

So why not make South films more friendly to all religions, castes and peoples? Why generalize them towards one group?

With globalization and technology, people all over the world, including non-Indians are watching Indian films now. I really enjoy South films. South films entertain me much more than Bollywood and I would really like to see it more popular and more widely seen globally. But I think that South production companies, directors and producers need to open their eyes and create larger aspirations about South cinema without racism, prejudice and politics.

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Aishwarya

@muffins2waffles

Inactive

+ 5

Posted: 14 years ago

I agree that South films need to more religion friendly. I don't like the anti messages they spread.

However, being from a traditional Hindu family, I know that relgion mixed marriages aren't supported and actually looked down upon. And South India is still very Hindu pro (I mean the country is generally Hindu), so when the director is Hindu they show Hindu Gods before they take it so the movie becomes a success. I don't think they mean to offend anyone by depicting Hinduism. I don't find anything wrong with it either. When they look down upon other relgions, then I don't like it (: I do agree with you that they need to depict some other relgions in them at least sometimes.

Edited by aishi.muffin - 14 years ago

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lentils

@lentils

Dazzler

Posted: 14 years ago

Originally posted by: aishi.muffin
I agree that South films need to more religion friendly. I don't like the anti messages they spread.

However, being from a traditional Hindu family, I know that relgion mixed marriages aren't supported and actually looked down upon. And South India is still very Hindu pro (I mean the country is generally Hindu), so when the director is Hindu they show Hindu Gods before they take it so the movie becomes a success. I don't think they mean to offend anyone by depicting Hinduism. I don't find anything wrong with it either. When they look down upon other relgions, then I don't like it (: I do agree with you that they need to depict some other relgions in them at least sometimes.

Right, I understand that about showing deities before the film starts. That's why it's never been a big deal for me. But if I stare at the screen while it's showing, I feel like God will be upset with me, so I stare somewhere else or try to forward that part if it lets me.

I mean, it's not easy for a non-Hindu, it's a contradiction. I love the films, I adore them but I don't agree with the religious part. It's an effort on my part. I'm showing effort so that the religious content doesn't prevent me from enjoying the movie or make me biased towards it. But how many non-Hindus will show that effort?

Does anyone know how common it is for non-Hindus in the South to go to films in the cinema theater? Is it very common or not common at all? I'm just curious how the films are viewed by them.

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Putija

@PutijaChalhov

Trailblazer

+ 8

Posted: 14 years ago

I agree and I think its directly related to the film that are hits and also if you take the breakup of population religion wise.

There are very few hits for themes from non Hindu religion and then there are very strict film censorship rules, which prevent the producers from taking a chance, in not hurting the religious ,caste sentiments related to different religions A love story can be created from any religious background but not done Films are viewed as a entertainment, story by viewers not from religious angle Sometimes the films are banned or portions removed which depict religious or caste sentiment which may hurt them so thats the reason producers dont take chance. My POV

No offence meant to any one.

Edited by chalhov - 14 years ago

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lentils

@lentils

Dazzler

Posted: 14 years ago

Originally posted by: avivakirk
Are u a Muslim?

Yep. But this topic is not just about Muslim viewers.

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Aishwarya

@muffins2waffles

Inactive

+ 5

Posted: 14 years ago

Actually I wanted to go back to the topic of Magadheera being anti - Muslim. I don't think it was trying to anti - Muslim actually. It's a historical fact on how some Muslim kings took over Rajput kingdoms at the start of the Mughal period in India. I am not trying to offend anyone here. Just stating a fact. And also, the Muslim king was a good character (eventually) in the film.

I'm not sure how many non-Hindus go to movies in South India, but I know my Muslim friend in Hyd watches them sometimes.

I agree with chalhov that the directors don't want to take risks by changing the routine that has been there for so long. I do think that it wouldn't harm anyone if they showed more diversity though.

Edited by aishi.muffin - 14 years ago

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kavya

@premeer

Rocker

+ 3

Posted: 14 years ago

Probably the genre is limited but they were few movies like Bombay, YMC, Vedam etc.. which managed to make a mark... esp in Vedam the track of Manoj Bajpai was so touching...

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lentils

@lentils

Dazzler

Posted: 14 years ago

Originally posted by: aishi.muffin
Actually I wanted to go back to the topic of Magadheera being anti - Muslim. I don't think it was trying to anti - Muslim actually. It's a historical fact on how some Muslim kings took over Rajput kingdoms at the start of the Mughal period in India. I am not trying to offend anyone here. Just stating a fact. And also, the Muslim king was a good character (eventually) in the film.

I'm not sure how many non-Hindus go to movies in South India, but I know my Muslim friend in Hyd watches them sometimes.

I agree with chalhov that the directors don't want to take risks by changing the routine that has been there for so long. I do think that it wouldn't harm anyone if they showed more diversity though.

It wasn't anti-Muslim because it showed Muslim kings fighting and taking over Hindu kingdoms. It had obvious anti-Muslim messages because the Muslim King calls himself a "barbarian" and calls his special army (the 100 men he sent to fight the hero) " the Devil's army". Not only that, but when the Muslim King is reincarnated, he is a Christian, not a Muslim. So in the end, the Muslim was depicted as being evil.

It may not be so obvious to those who don't think about it, but it's there. I was listening to a TV program the other day where Professors were talking about something called "subconscious influence." This is when messages are relayed to people and children who watch and listen to media, especially movies and cartoons.

I think this is really scary because someone who watches Magadheera might at one point be faced with a situation where there is a Muslim-Hindu fight or rivalry and subconsciously will remember that Muslims are "evil" and "barbarian."

Do you see what I mean?

I'm not talking about the history part, of course the history is there and it's nice to show history in movies. But when people start making generalizations or when hatred or annoyance of a particular group starts accumulating in the society, it will show up somewhere sometime in negative ways.

These movies have a much bigger influence on society than we realize.

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Aishwarya

@muffins2waffles

Inactive

+ 5

Posted: 14 years ago

Originally posted by: Burcidi

It wasn't anti-Muslim because it showed Muslim kings fighting and taking over Hindu kingdoms. It had obvious anti-Muslim messages because the Muslim King calls himself a "barbarian" and calls his special army (the 100 men he sent to fight the hero) " the Devil's army". Not only that, but when the Muslim King is reincarnated, he is a Christian, not a Muslim. So in the end, the Muslim was depicted as being evil.

It may not be so obvious to those who don't think about it, but it's there. I was listening to a TV program the other day where Professors were talking about something called "subconscious influence." This is when messages are relayed to people and children who watch and listen to media, especially movies and cartoons.

I think this is really scary because someone who watches Magadheera might at one point be faced with a situation where there is a Muslim-Hindu fight or rivalry and subconsciously will remember that Muslims are "evil" and "barbarian."

Do you see what I mean?

I'm not talking about the history part, of course the history is there and it's nice to show history in movies. But when people start making generalizations or when hatred or annoyance of a particular group starts accumulating in the society, it will show up somewhere sometime in negative ways.

These movies have a much bigger influence on society than we realize.

Oh I see. I don't remember that, but it's probably because I wasn't paying attention that closely.

I see what you're saying. It must be scary, but I saw Magadheera many times and I don't think Muslims as evil or barbaric at all. In fact I just judge people individually, by their personality. I know I'm not the whole world, so I can't speak the same for everyone..

But as to your question on why they show these things in movies, I really don't know. I wish it weren't that way.

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Putija

@PutijaChalhov

Trailblazer

+ 8

Posted: 14 years ago

#10

Most of the people think of movie as a movie and not in terms of religion its when we overanalyse that we start finding fault and see things just like splitting hair I have lot of friends from different religions and traveled all over India but never felt such sentiments on watching a movie where maybe the anti social element is from different religion in fact we wish each other and also participate in each others festivals even though i am a vegetarian.