The unique case of the Indian film – some ponderings

A major presumption made while drawing the agenda for the seminar was that Hollywood has still not been able to conquer India (as noted in Anjum Rajabali’s note in the seminar brochure). I disagree wholeheartedly. While Hollywood might have attained commercial supremacy over the cinemas of Europe & Latin America, it still hasn’t been able to crack their creativity. The French, Germans, Poles, Slavs, Argentines and Brazilians still make mindblowing films that cater to a global audience at a consistent rate even though their local exhibition markets have been saturated by Hollywood blockbusters. In India, on the other hand, Hollywood has scored on the creative front, and a commercial battle no longer holds any significance for them. And by placing their feet firmly in Bollywood, the most influential centre of filmmaking in India, they have already won half the battle. Bollywood is exerting its influence over other centres and the system is crumbling. Though the dynamics change slightly, the equation is not very different from how the East India Company achieved a commercial supremacy over our country, thus negating the need for a traditional military invasion. In both cases, the driving force behind the subjugated entity (economic control then and a far-reaching creative influence now) had been targetted and hence the analogy.

 

The final session of the seminar deliberated on the road ahead. It again started with the same premise of how to withstand the onslaught from Hollywood. I’ve already expressed my difference of perspective on the issue. The way I see it, the need of the hour is to weed out the negative influences that we’ve already internalised rather than defend ourselves against an external entity. The responsibility for this task lies with all of us – the industry, the media and the audience. To begin with, we (the audience) should learn to be more open towards the art and see it for what it is rather than how it conforms to a certain school of thought. We need to be able to see beyond the superficial gloss in a film and learn to appreciate the content beneath it. We need to mature as an audience and start demanding quality cinema from the producers. We pay for the tickets & DVD’s after all, don’t we? And its a rather stark comment on our servility and impotence as consumers when we lap up mediocrity without so much as a whimper.

The media could play a major role in this war of independence, provided they choose to. With their reach and influence, they could be the catalyst for creating awareness and exposure amongst the masses. With the advent of new media like the internet, mobile etc., the fourth estate has become all the more powerful. All that is required on their part now is a love for the medium and an independence of expression. Trust me, and I say this from personal experience, its not a very difficult thing to do.

Things do get a bit murky when it comes to the industry itself. Being an outsider, I see a hazy picture, but the stench is unmistakable and unmissable even if one can’t place it accurately. In that light, it would be beyond me to prescribe a solution for my filmmaking bretheren. However, I do hope that this reaches out to enough people within the industry and they read this as the summarised angst of a film lover. An Indian film lover. A hurting Indian film lover.

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