Mesmerising Indian cinema

Although we visualise cinema as “dream-making” industry, in lives of common people, Indian cinema plays an important role. Indian cinema holds a mirror to society; it shows to the movie watchers why change is needed. So it has a crucial role in improving value system in Indian society. Movies are a part of vibrant civilisation of India.Movies were first made in India one hundred years ago. So their centenary is being celebrated now. First talking movie was”Alam Ara” which was in 1931. Soon after that movies in regional languages were made. Many movies were based on historical stories or mythological stories whose content was appreciated. There was ‘cultural revitalization’ taking place as religious and mythological stories got concrete expressions. Movies became an expression of people’s rich culture and values. It was the favourite past time activity for the working class. Tickets were cheap. Even in ‘ makeshift tent’ theatres, cinema could be screened in rural India. It helped to carry Indian culture directly to the masses. By watching cinema, people could see the whole world from their remote rural places. Although Indian cinema celebrated love stories ,people learnt a lot about the world from cinema. Many heroes sung patriotic songs in movies.Sometimes popular heroes who extolled the virtues of the working class got elected and became leaders. Heroines were the most talked about subject among cine goers. Censor board deletes inappropriate sequences. The cinema industry grew more than any other industry; because it was most loved by the people. Sometimes, there is an attempt to copy Hollywood movies but there is great originality among Indian cinema makers themselves. Melodious songs were incorporated in cinema popularising musicals among masses.Indian music too was revived through cinema industry, folk songs got modern expressions. Now a days big cine-complexes are there in big urban malls.About 150 movies are made on the average every year in each regional language. Earlier, people would buy video-cassettes of movies,then DVDs came; now there is “you tube” through which you can download and watch movies. TV replays old and shows new age cinema.Mediums may have changed, but cinema’s popularity has not changed.Mesmerising Indian cinema continues to hold us spellbound  Indians living anywhere in the world feel happy while watching Indian movies. It gives all Indians, a sense of cultural identity.For Indians, joy and contentment in watching Indian movies has no parallels.