Two of Indian cinema’s biggest stars on Thursday underlined the potential of movies in upholding values of humanity, unity and diversity, and called for demolishing differences and prejudices -- comments that assume significance against the backdrop of a fractious debate in recent years over artistic freedom and political influences in the movie industry.
Speaking at the inauguration of the 28th Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF), Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan spoke about the power of cinema to build a better world. Bachchan said that timeless movies by maestros always revealed a socially and politically conscious vision of humanity and differences that divide need to be demolished, highlighting the pluralistic legacy of Indian cinema that also stood up to British censorship. Khan referred to negativity and narrowness of views expressed on social media and hailed the power of movies in sustaining a narrative of unity and brotherhood, at time a new song from his upcoming movie has courted controversy.
In his speech, Bachchan spoke about repeated confrontations between the movie industry and the colonial rulers pre-Independence.
“With these never-ending confrontations in the 1940s, the policing of Indian cinema grew exasperatingly stringent…over the rigmarole of five different censor boards setting up their own rules, things were chaotic.
{{/usCountry}}“With these never-ending confrontations in the 1940s, the policing of Indian cinema grew exasperatingly stringent…over the rigmarole of five different censor boards setting up their own rules, things were chaotic.
{{/usCountry}}“Finally, the 1952 cinematograph act set out the structure of censorship as it stands today upheld by the film certification board, but even now ladies and gentlemen, and I am sure my colleagues on stage will agree, questions are being raised on civil liberties and freedom of expression,” he added.
Bachchan underlined how subjects, technology and ways of shooting and imagining cinema had changed over the decades.
“From mythological films and socialist cinema…arthouse cinema…the advent of the angry young man of the 1970s and 80s viewed against the frustration of countless unemployed youth to the current brand of historicals couched in fictionalised jingoism along with moral policing, the range has kept the audience reflecting on the politics and social concerns of our times…” he said.
He invoked Satyajit Ray, Mrinal Sen, Ritwick Ghatak and Rabindranath Tagore to underline his point about movies touching on universal themes.
“Let us find new summits to conquer. Let us bring down the barriers that blinded our view of the horizons. Let us craft a singularity out of the many truths that come our way. Let us demolish the differences that divide us. Let us build a monolith with our diversity. May no one be in the shadow of our glory. May everyone feel the joy,” he added.
Khan spoke about social media and the cinematic medium, and its consequences.
“The collective narrative of our times is shaped by social media. Contrary to the belief that spread of social media will affect cinema negatively, I feel that cinema has an even more important role to play now. Social media is often driven by a certain narrowness of views that limit human nature and negativity increases social media consumption and thereby increases its commercial value as well. Such pursuits enclose the collective narrative, making it divisive and destructive,” he said.
“Cinema exposes the vulnerability of human nature. It allows us to know each other better. It is best placed to sustain a collective counter narrative that speak to the larger nature of humankind. A narrative that brings to the fore humanity’s immense capacity for compassion, unity and brotherhood,” he said, exhorting everyone to use the power of cinema to break prejudices and build a better world.
West Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose, chief minister Mamata Banerjee, Shatrughan Sinha and many stars from the Bengali movie industry were present. Banerjee demanded Bharat Ratna for Bachchan and said, “Though this is not official, we are raising a demand from Bengal that Amitabh Bachchan Ji be awarded the Bharat Ratna. You will not find another icon like him. He is also a great human being.”
The BJP targeted Mamata Banerjee later in the night saying Bachchan’s reference to civil liberties and freedom of expression was pointed at Bengal. “He hit the nail on the head with @MamataOfficial on his side . Thank you @SrBachchan for standing for victims of political violence in West Bengal” tweeted B L Santhosh, BJP national general secretary.