Cinema reflects changing times: Ashutosh Gowarikar

My belief is that societal changes with regards to culture, politics and religion, bring about a change in cinema. And the filmmakers express their interpretations through stories and present it back to society. The society then chooses a film that adheres to their state of mind and flocks to the cinema or stays away from the theatres, if they think it does not.

The 50's were very soulful. And so, the heroes were depicted as having an ambition to build a new nation. The feelings of brotherhood and camaraderie were supreme!

This was followed by the 60's which was a more happy period where the hero was helpful and very high in manners and morals and at the same time had an air of boisterousness about him. Two slogans were being promoted across the nation " Jai Jawan Jai Kisan!

Disillusionment with the system set in by the 70's, when the people of India felt betrayed by the government. Overpopulation had given rise to unemployment and the common man had become restless. This led to the birth of the angry young man, for whom poetry was replaced by angst. He only wanted the bare necessities " Roti, Kapda aur Makaan.

In the 80's the country went through internal strife and the common man was increasingly getting frustrated with the political leadership. Goondaism became rampant. The cinema captured this aspect in its movies, which was not necessarily a very entertaining fare. And hence most senior citizens say that the 80's was the worst decade for our country. Cinema was not far behind.

Instead of a new hero, the 90's introduced a new villain for society as well as in movies " the terrorist! Suspicion towards the neighbouring countries grew alarmingly. Cinema bravely began to point fingers to the neighbouring countries for fueling terrorist activities. Naturally, the new hero had a fresh job " to wave the patriotic flag. He became immediately popular as he reflected the patriotic fervour in we the people'!

The turn of the new millennium brough about a strikingly different change to the country. Globalisation, industrialisation, foreign investments, international franchises, communication technology... all of this gave a new face to India. And to the new hero, who began to wear a earring, stubble and an attitude which overflowed with self confidence, which was infectious. So much so, that unconventional faces also became the heroes for the new emerging India. It did not matter what the new hero looked like. What mattered is how he led his life. He is the real hero, the no-nonsense, super-strong, smooth-talking and convention-breaking!

Today, Indian Cinema is going through a transition period, with more and more industry folk willing to take on genres, scripts and formats that they had not tried before.

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