With economy, our films will flourish. It’s showtime

Indian Cinema, in whatever form, commercial, artistic, parallel, escapist, has been plodding along; insult, cynicism, ridicule notwithstanding. It shows two things. The dogged pursuit of the makers despite adverse comment and the continued patronage of the viewers.

‘New Cinema’ is a media-convenient terminology. If we were to accept it, we would inadvertently be putting, on a lesser platform, all that came before 2007. I believe every 5-10 years sees an evolution of fresh ideas and concepts which must seem ‘new’ at that time. I would be happier if the topic was referred to as how cinema in India is evolving. ‘New’ puts what has gone by as ‘old’; a term which is often ingloriously used. But we are very proud and reverential towards our ‘old’. There would be no ‘new’ if there was no ‘old’.

So cinema in India evolves and I am happy with its evolution. It has made rapid progress in quality of product, in the technology and in its presentation. In the systems it deploys for its production, distribution and exhibition and in its acceptance in society, not just within us but in other lands as well.

I believe the advent of television, its strength and its reach, has made social and cultural changes to the nation. We are not discussing its merits and demerits, that would need another very dedicated forum, just its presence and its penetration. And I believe that cinema and film have been and continue to be 85 per cent of its content.

With technology and science continuously wooing us with devices of reproduction within our homes, the importance of the content assumes incredible importance. The visual medium today has become an important tool for governance, for the politician, for the social reformer, for judicial reference, for fact in situations of law and order, for marketing and promotion, for information and guidance, for religious discourse, for education and teaching, for instant connectivity to world events and yes for entertainment.

How wonderful to see so much emanating out of an entity which in the ‘olden’ days was considered infra dig. The prediction for 2020 is that Entertainment will be among the three largest industries in the country. Ridicule, insult and cynicism can go ‘fetch oil’ !!

Hollywood and its invasion are here and are making their presence felt, and I must admit in some instances beginning to hurt us. But language and culture will be their greatest deterrent. They have been smart in Spiderman, dubbing it in several prominent languages. But look at it this way, they had to succumb to our conditions. We need to be wary though; that’s how they started in Europe. But I believe the strength of our content is still Indian and traditional. They may overwhelm us with a Superman or a Spiderman or a gorilla, but they are all fantasised exaggerations. Human emotions, our ethos and culture are still our strong points and if they were to enter that space, they would have to come in as an investor to buy that sentiment. Their money power is immense, but invested in us will make us richer as well.

Simultaneously and quite interestingly however, a reverse and almost reciprocal invasion is occurring as well. Our penetration in Europe and Africa and the Far East and Russia is assuming large proportions and the patronage of the dedicated viewer increases by the day. In some surprising instances, there is a preference to us over Hollywood!

World economics acknowledges consumer strength. Our population, the object of concern once, the bearer of the reason why everything was wrong with our country, has become its biggest asset. With economic growth through liberalisation, our food, our dress, our culture, our language, our music, our dance and yes our films will flourish. It’s showtime!

I don’t know who the next or new ‘angry young man’ is. Not ever having subscribed to such glorious epithets, who cares? May they all exist and contribute in equal number towards the glorification of the Indian film industry.

Ram Gopal Varma ki Aag starring Bachchan is releasing later this month