Audience and critics says that movies influence the masses and movie makers say that movies are an expression of societal norms and beliefs. It’s a chicken and egg situation – who did it first. But this debate is not new. The trend has been on for decades.
Going into flashback there were stories of commitment, integrity, love, grit, sacrifice and passion. Movies were crafted with these emotions playing an important role in the plot. Even though it was love story, societal issues played a central role in the movie – Sujata (1959) is a love story with societal message of equal rights of an untouchable girl falling in love with a brahmin boy and the hardships there on.
In movies like Pyasa, kagaz ke phool, saheb biwi aur ghulam – love meant adjustment and sacrifice. No one would dare to go against the family and societal norms. Ab yehi meri kismat, yahi meri zindagi hai was the usual feelings amongst all the protagonist. It was a herculean task to voice out your feelings, opinions, desires even when in Free India. Though India was free by then but mind was not free. Hence stories depicted same feelings of acceptance and adjustment.
Then came era of rebel love. In 1980s, there was a new generation of India which was trying to establish themselves. This generation was not burdened with freedom fighting emotions, as they had not witnessed the same. This was the generation who was following footsteps of parents of following societal norms at the same time adapting to western culture. Films like Qayamat se qyamat tak, Ek duje ke liye saw a different form of love. By this time Young India was not ready to adjust. Even if it required to sacrifice their lives. Though in real life it was not this extreme, couples chose to elope and get married instead of committing suicide. Couples even felt a lack of thrill if both side parents agreed and there was no rivalry.
There was new wave of love that swept the country with Dilwale Dulhaniya le Jaayenge. It was not just wooing the girl anymore, now the hero has to woo entire family and how!! Earlier there was no expression of love – it was parents who chose love for you. Then came a rebellious love, hero heroine didn’t bother to explain the love to parents – siddha bhaag jaao. Then came SRK – Adity Chopra who took the challenge of convincing the parents. Till date, every girl dreams to have a Raj in her life who will do all the convincing in life for her. Aajkal ke fathers are not even like Amrish Puri, still girls want Raj. That’s one of the reason the movie is a cult. It changed the definition of love, now it came up with responsibility of respect, culture, upbringing and more.
And the most amazing and annoying is the new age love. People are trying to get married to take revenge, to fulfill their desires or just get rid of societal pressure. The most ridiculous one is where male protagonist is a break up artist and runs business of breaking up relationships. Seriously, now we are this low in depicting love? Agreed there are break ups and has been on since ages but am not sure where are we going with highlighting this aspect of relationship. What message films are giving to young kids about love and commitment. Youngsters are copying the films or actually the films are depicting the society? As a matter of fact, it is true that its been easier than ever to give up on relationships, love and commitment. Adjustment, sacrifice doesn’t exist neither in the dictionary nor in the storyline.
Its not just movies, the idea of love was there in stories from history from fiction and real. Term roadside Romeo has come from the Romeo who was half the definition of love. Don’t know if millennials even know who he is or what his character stands for. It would be amazing to know what is idea of love for the millennials and who is their idol.
