Cinema today has come a very long way from the early days of ‘silent pictures’...in fact has come far from what it used to be then. All thanks to technology.
The true to life sets, dramatic screenplays, photographic techniques, acting histrionics, and their portrayal on a 70 mm screen, with digital sound effect, in plush multiplexes, have made cinema an ideal medium for entertainment and education. Because of its close affinity to the people, it mirrors their social values and ethos. It shows us the true picture of life. The evils of society, are vividly portrayed on screen, making it a powerful medium for social change.
(Image Courtesy: The New York Times)
There is no disputing the facts that cinema offers an easy, and affordable means of entertainment to the masses. After a day of hard work, they are able to escape from the tension and worries of life. To other, it is an escape from boredom. The true to life portrayal of characters, provoke our emotions, moving us to tears, laughter, thrill or even shock. They thus cater to a variety of our tastes, interests, and moods.
(Image Courtesy: George Eastman Museum)
Cinema is a very powerful tool for social change as it effectively reflects the evil prevailing in the society. The effective portrayal of social malpractices like un-sociability, dowry, child labor and corruption pricks our conscience. It is also an excellent medium of propaganda. The advertisements and endorsements help in promoting the sale of goods and services.
(Image Courtesy: The Better India)
The government also uses it to promote social harmony and health care. Thus documentaries creating awareness for prevention of aids, polio, and other information to benefit the society are effectively dissipated through this medium. The fashion industry owes it genesis and growth to a cinema. It sets the fashion trend for the youth who imitate the dresses and hairstyles of popular film stars.
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Realizing the significant role of cinema in entertainment and education the government has set up a separate unit the film division under the ministry of information and broadcasting. The films division helps in the production and distribution of good pictures to the general public. This in itself is ample proof of the significant role played by cinema in entertainment and education.
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(Featured Image Courtesy: The Quint)
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Indian cinema has grown a lot over time. The old dramatic movies which ruled the Bollywood are no more a choice of the youth. People like to watch more sensible movies which not only entertain the audiences but also give a message. Cinema both entertains and educates the masses in India. The scenario has quite changed and a lot more awareness is being spread among the masses through the movies. India’s population is huge and a majority of the population watches the Indian cinema. The influence of the movies is a lot on the people and they get inspired by the movies. So, when a movie is made it gains popularity in terms of its star cast and the theme of the movie. A movie which seems to demean a certain aspect of the society is always fought against and is always stopped from producing. However, a lot of conflicts occur even when a movie seems to showcase the reality of our world. A lot of movies that have portrayed prostitution and such sensitive topics have been under the limelight for protest by the “protectors of the culture” but this aggression also shows that the society still resists the bitter truth. They do not want the truth to come out. A lot of movies have made it big in the Indian cinema which showed that the Indian cinema entertains and educates. Movies over female equality and consent taught the people of the country the present state of women in the country. Indian cinema both entertained and educated the masses through such movies. Indian cinema entertains and educates not only the lower and the middle class but it also educates those who misuse their power.
Movies which have touched the audiences at the core have taught a lot and we expect such movies to shine in the future. I hope Indian cinema entertains and educates the people in India as it is doing now. It is just the beginning of a new era. We may find resistance but I believe we will able to move ahead of such hindrances and Bollywood’s image will be different in the coming years.
The cinema has been always a very popular medium of entertainment for all classes of people. The concept of cinema was developed by Thomas Alva Edison, the famous scientist of America who invented cinematography.
Cinema is a great mean which can be used for the betterment or for decadence. It’s high time that cinema’s integrity and original purpose be strictly looked up to. All measure should be taken to see that films do not damage the moral values, traditions and culture of this country. Cinema should not be used as money making machine but rather it should be used as a powerful means of popular entertainment and general knowledge.