When politics plays on cinema

As we all know, Ilayathalapathy Vijay’s Thalaivaa was a movie that was highly looked forward to by the audiences in Tamil Nadu and the current trouble has put a full stop to its release here. The trouble started with Thuppakki  moved to Vishwaroopam, and now has affected Thalaivaa.

Cinema and politics were always intertwined in the south but I think earlier the relationship was mutually satisfying and healthy. Today, it is starting to become bitter with small dissent groups suddenly coming to life at the time of movie releases that are alleged to have a political or religious slant.

Our cinema has always celebrated the diversity of India and Indian culture.  Our cinema was and is always about entertaining the audience and with its song-and-dance routine transport the audience to another world for the three hours they are in the theatre.  Our cinema is made to pander to their emotions – laughter, joy, tears, sadness and much more. And at the same time, due to our diversity,  to a large extent film-makers in India do a lot of self-censorship to appeal to the masses and make sure they don’t hurt any sentiments intentionally.

Considering this was what Indian cinema is and was all about, it is surprising that politics is now dictating what can be spoken or shown. The average movie-goer does not walk into a theatre wearing his political or religious affiliation on his sleeve – he or she is there to be entertained. Full stop. He or she wants paisa vasool for the three hours and leave the film having enjoyed the experience.

India has always prided itself in being a land of free speech but though we are moving into the 22nd century, local factions are pushing us back to the era gone by.  On one hand we are watching Hollwyood blazing trails with their innovative projects and on the other, we are running to the powers that be for tax exemptions and help release a film.

The question is – is cinema actually entertaining the audience now or just being used to play politics?