Evalute the changing values that the film reflect about society?

Answer 1

When you compare current Hindi films to films from, say, the 90's, they have changed. More actors are willing to kiss, or do intimate love scenes now, and movie subject matter is trying to compete on Hollywood levels. The reason is that most of the money made nowadays on a Hindi film relies on overseas box office. Places like Germany, U.K. and, to a lesser extent, the U.S., are important. They have to compete against Western films. So more sexuality, more action, more special effects, more open minded points of view are creeping into Hindi films. I've noticed the change, myself, greatly over the last couple of years.

While they aren't nearly as open as Hollywood films in terms of sexuality, mainstream Hindi films are becoming more open minded in some ways. A movie like "Dostana", which is about 2 men pretending to be gay to rent an apartment, and treats homosexuality not as a deviant thing, would never have been able to be produced even 3-4 years ago.

However, one could say this is mostly in the larger cities, such as Mumbai. In the smaller cities/towns/villages, traditional values are much stricter. Some actors still are not keen to alienate their audiences and are very careful as to what they wear, what movies they do, and what they say. Actors, such as Kareena Kapoor, have gotten flack for wearing clothes that are too revealing, and for her losing too much weight. Maybe to copy Western ideals of beauty? Who knows?

I think the society, as a whole, is still very conscious about morals, religious beliefs and family values. I don't think that's going to change in a hurry. Even recent films, such as "Billu," present stories that are modern takes on ancient texts ("Billu" being taken from the life of Krishna). Indian Soap Operas revolve around family life, but even they have story lines that involve adultery, etc. The culture is slowly opening up to thoughts and ideas that would have been completely dismissed a few years ago. One could argue that as India has becoming a big "player" on the world market in terms of technology and business, more Western ideas will seep into the culture. Even English is more prevalent in the films now than a few years ago.

Answer 2

Films often reflect changing societal values by addressing current social issues, promoting diversity and inclusion, and challenging traditional norms. They can also spark conversations and promote empathy by showcasing various perspectives and experiences. As society evolves, films play a crucial role in mirroring and influencing cultural shifts.