NoE Delhi. Javed Akhtar is known for his outspoken statements and this time he has spoken about the increasing boldness and vulgar songs in films. Responding to those accusing the film industry of making obscene or offensive songs, Javed Akhtar said that cinema is not separate from the society. According to him, whatever kind of society there will be, the same kind of entertainment will be seen. Instead of blaming only the film industry for this debate, he also questioned the preferences of the audience.
During an interview, Javed Akhtar was asked why cinema often shirks its responsibility by saying that when the society improves, good content will be made. In response to this question, he compared cinema with the pulse of society. He said that if there is fever in the body, its effect will be visible in the pulse also. Similarly, the effects of the trends present in the society will also be visible in the world of films and entertainment.
Javed Akhtar also gave examples of old era films to explain his point. He said that films like Do Bigha Zameen Bandini, Sujata Heera Moti and Mother India were made in this society. The audience also liked these films. In such a situation, according to him, the question should be that how such films were replaced by some different kind of content with time in the same society.
He especially questioned the role of the audience regarding bold songs. He said that only one person is not involved in making a controversial or obscene song. Many people are involved from writing it to composing the music, filming it and releasing the songs. He argued that if a few people create such content then the problem is not that big but when crores of people like the same content and make it a superhit then the question arises on the choice of the society.
Giving the example of popular songs like Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai, Javed Akhtar asked that the film industry alone cannot make such songs a hit. It is the audience's choice and response that makes a song popular. According to him, if the audience does not accept such content then the creators will have less reason to present it again and again.
He also said that audience's choice affects serious as well as good cinema. Giving the example of famous filmmaker Shyam Benegal, Javed Akhtar said that he made wonderful and thought-provoking films but the question is how many audiences saw them and made them successful on a large scale.
This comment of Javed Akhtar has once again started the debate regarding the relationship between cinema and society. He says that while discussing changes in films, it is not enough to hold the artists and producers responsible only. The choice of the audience also decides in which direction cinema will move in the future.