'Bollywood' has been turning its face away from those romantic flavours that it used to serve to its audiences. No! In fact we cannot say this. But yes! The romantic tinge is now getting partially seen. This is now replaced with the urge of making social issue centric movies. The current trend is of directing movies that can play a havoc role in the minds of a separate group 'target audience'. It's so because it is the need of the hour. Movies are those elements of media that plays a pivotal role in the society. If we date back to the history, earlier movies were made with a motive of awakening the society regarding the issues prevailing at that time. There was a concept in the early 1950s as of cinema named 'Parallel Cinema' which was entirely a movement that started in the state of Bengal. The movies made during that time focused on the social issues and that which affected humans, provoking them to understand these social evils and debar it from the society. It seems the trend is back again.
Recently, a movie named 'Article 15' was released. The movie highlighted the story of a village where two girls were raped and murdered as they belonged to the 'dalit' group of society and were asking for a raise of Rs3 in their daily wage. Revolving mainly around the 'dalit' and upper caste people, the movie explained about one of the articles mentioned in our Constitution 'Article 15'. It talks about the fundamental right 'Right to Equality' where there should not be any discrimination on ground of race, caste, sex, gender, religion, caste, place of birth, etc. The movie was opposed by a particular section of the society and protests were also held against it. Whereas on the other hand, a large group of audience liked the film as it was more about social awareness. Based on the socio-political situation of the country, the movie had an urge to adhere to the social issues which is why the audiences were glued to their seats. The movie had no item songs, no pomp & show being the reason of getting likes by the maximum people. People are now bored of enough melodramatic scenes, romantic dialogues, loud music and crap content. All they need is something that brings awareness and talks of the issues of national and societal concern.
Also there are biopics made on the real life story of eminent personalities that have contributed for the nation. It's something that invokes inspiration in the viewers through a story. A movie that came few years back 'Taare Zameen Par' striking on a sensitive issue as of a child suffering from 'dyslexia' is not understood and accepted by his family as well as the society gained ultimate recognition. A genuine fact that our society hardly accepts mental illness and people suffering from it was shown through this movie and became a path breaking element. In the same way movies like 'Pink', '3 Idiots', 'Chak De India', 'Udaan', 'Swadesh', 'Peepli Live', 'Rang De Basanti' and many more have topped the list alluring their audiences with their content and theme. If we go on searching, the list will seem unending. Also the noticeable fact is that although these movies are commercial and not 'art', yet they are reaching with a great impact also drawing positive feedback and appreciation.
Few days back, I watched an old movie 'Dor' released in the year 2006. The movie revolved around the life of two women who happened to meet each other due to some reason and mishap and became friends. Mainly the movie portrayed the sufferings of women that they carry from the day they are born. The society's treatment with them and the exploitation that they meet is clearly shown.
This 'social' game of Bollywood is not actually new but has become more a trend these days. From the directors to the audiences and to the script writers, everyone's perception has changed. Therefore, some movies are meant for fun, some for revolution and some for a bigger change. Cinema being a highly impactful form of communication and media in our society, affecting the mental setup of a person plays an important role. The flavour of 'art' with the 'social' tadka is working. I hope it takes a significant place in the viewers mind giving them an exciting flavour too. If at all it works in bringing about even a small change, nothing can be as good a matter of joy as this for both the nation and the people.