Films and Social Change

Byline: M.S. Anand The topic may not be a can of worms, but it isn't a simple one either. Films in the subcontinent, let's face it, have had a profound effect on their viewers in more ways than one. Primarily meant to entertain, the movie business (from the day the first Indian talkie Alam Ara was shown on silver screen on March 14, 1931) was not thought of as a tool for bringing about social or political change in society. However, wittingly or unwittingly there were movies made in the past, and have been of late, that highlighted subjects which weren't just about mushy, gooey teenage love affairs (not that it isn't an important issue) but touched upon issues that hinted or pointed at some glaring shortcoming(s) in society.