Cinema: How Cinema Shapes Society – A Look at Film and Culture
After the invention of the camera, someone must have thought—what if this world could be recorded in motion too? But that's the point—if we can imagine it, it means it's possible.
If someone says cinema is nonsense, then believe me, they are dismissing one of the most important parts of the world with a single word: "nonsense."
Over time, cinema has evolved. But many misconceptions still exist in society regarding cinema. In reality, this society doesn't deserve good cinema, yet cinema has no ideology of its own, which is why it just keeps going. Still, social thinkers believe that cinema should serve a purpose—it should exist for their welfare—because they can’t take care of their welfare without it!
They believe that whatever they consider good should be shown in films. And if they feel that cinema is not showing what they deem good, then cinema is held responsible for the downfall of society.
So let’s try to define cinema.
Definition of Cinema:
After a lot of thought, it seems that cinema is something that holds its own past, present, and future. Someone once said that films are the mirror of society, and there's no harm in agreeing with that—maybe it's the best definition.
But for me, cinema is a “naked art,” and that’s how it should be. Because this is about the freedom of cinema—it is just like those great books that had the courage to write anything and everything.
Cinema is beyond everything. As I said, it has no ideology, so expecting it to always teach us something is a huge mistake on your part.
Does Cinema Shape Society?
Cinema has never told society to fit into a particular mold or adopt a specific ideology or behave in a particular way, wear this or don’t wear that, speak like this or not.
But we can't deny the fact that we are humans—and being human means we are bound to be influenced.
So, we can’t simply say that cinema shapes society; society also plays a major role in shaping cinema. Therefore, we can say that society and cinema work together and influence each other.
And the biggest role in this interaction is played by the culture of society.
Let’s look at how cinema influences society:
1. Integrity Among Society:
Today, we are watching films from almost every language in the world. This connects different societies with one another.
We are consuming not only English but also Japanese, Swedish, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and world cinema.
So, cinema has, in some way, connected the whole world and taught us about their customs and cultures.
2. Somehow, It Shapes Ideology:
We can’t deny that films influence the ideology of individuals or societies.
Films have changed many lives and introduced people to ideas they could hardly imagine.
Especially in topics like freedom, which have spread widely in Indian society and globally—cinema played a big role.
So yes, cinema teaches ideologies—but it depends on what people choose to take from it.
3. Shapes the Culture:
Cinema has brought the biggest cultural shift in society.
For example, it is widely believed that Western culture has spread in India—and this is, to an extent, true.
Cinema has changed our way of dressing, eating, speaking, and many other things.
4. Sometimes, It Becomes a Reason for Violence:
Sometimes, individuals learn so much from films that they resort to violence, and then films start getting defamed.
It’s not like watching one film turns the entire society violent—such cases are rare.
Still, they become reasons for hate and boycotts of cinema.
And we can't deny that some people are indeed drawn toward violence or crime because of films.
Now let’s understand how society influences films:
1. Society's Ideology Starts Dominating Cinema:
What could be society’s real ideology?
Let’s take India as an example.
When Congress was in power, films reflected one type of ideology; now with BJP in power, the themes of films have changed.
In reality, the ideology of the powerful dominates cinema—and society helps enforce it.
This power struggle will never end.
That’s not to say that society always has a negative impact—great films have emerged from society.
2. For Propaganda:
Many films are made with a motive—to influence certain sections of society, push ideologies, or serve political agendas.
Such films present false facts or biased examples to mislead people.
3. Society Decides Whether Cinema Will Be Quality or Quantity:
Indian cinema is going through a bad phase—or perhaps the global cinema is.
In India, many films are made every year, but most are worthless. Here’s why:
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a. In pursuit of higher profits, filmmakers don’t deliver quality.
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b. Star culture: a big actor is needed for the film to work, and they take the biggest cut of the budget.
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c. The Indian audience mostly doesn’t know what to watch—only a few know good cinema; most are clueless.
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d. Writers are not respected in the Indian film industry—or perhaps they don’t exist at all.
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e. No one has good content; things are made quickly just to keep the money flowing.
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f. Sadly, we didn’t even know how to send a film to the Oscars—or which one to send.
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g. Most Bollywood artists seem too typical. Many are even skill-less, and actresses often get stereotypical roles.
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h. Sometimes it feels the industry lacks critical thinking.
4. Censorship:
I don’t know how censorship boards work around the world, but in India, the censor board tries to be overly “cultured.”
The Indian censor board has ruined Indian cinema because it believes films must be clean, with well-dressed characters and no blood.
Unfortunately, India is full of ironies and hypocrites.
Ask Anurag Kashyap—he’ll tell you the truth about the censor board.
5. Lack of Governmental Will:
The government never really supported cinema.
There’s not even basic education in India about film ratings or age-appropriate content.
People take their children to inappropriate movies and then ask for them to be banned because they "show bad things."
Conclusion:
So, this is how society and cinema move together.
I support leaving cinema free as it is.
Control should lie within us and within society.
Free books and free films are essential for a healthy society.
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