Creative priorities
The movie ‘Dhurandhar’ becoming the highest grosser in recent time’s invites serious reflection on the direction mainstream Hindi cinema is taking. A movie dominated by graphic violence and lawless aggression has achieved such commercial success; it raises important questions about creative priorities and social responsibility. At its core, ‘Dhurandhar’ offers little originality. It is a fictional account of gang wars set in a neighbouring country, relying heavily on violent spectacle rather than layered storytelling. Its popularity suggests an increasing dependence on shock value, indicating a worrying creative stagnation where brutality substitutes for imagination. More concerning is the larger pattern Bollywood has embraced in recent years. Alongside such violent films, audiences are increasingly being fed jingoistic cross-border war narratives, selectively framed historical dramas and overtly propagandist movies. These films often present a distorted version of reality. When cinema begins to echo political messaging rather than artistic integrity, it risks becoming an instrument of propaganda rather than a medium of reflection. Nationalism, when reduced to hostility and exclusion, loses its ethical meaning. Equally striking is Bollywood’s reluctance to engage with pressing social realities. Stories of large-scale corruption, financial scams, institutional failures or crimes such as the Unnao rape case rarely find serious cinematic treatment.
Samir Khan, Mapusa
BMC elections
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections are scheduled to be held on January 15 and the results will be out on January 16. The elections will be held on 29 municipal seats. Since 1966, Shiv Sena has dominated the BMC except for one term. The 2017 elections had seen a close fight between BJP and Shiv Sena. The elections, which were supposed to be held in 2022, are being held now after a long gap. Originally scheduled for early 2022, the elections were postponed for nearly four years primarily due to legal disputes over OBC reservations and ward delimitation. The situation this time looks interesting, with Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray coming together after 20 years. The Marathi locals believe that the Thackerays have preserved the language and the local culture of the state. With the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) being in the news with the development of the new airport and infrastructure, it seems Mumbai will be connected with Gujarat, which may not be tolerated by Mumbaikars. After the elections, the Mumbai locals are likely to desire a Marathi local as the mayor or president of BMC, which is widely recognised as the nation’s richest municipal corporation and one of the wealthiest in Asia.
Raju Ramamurthy, Vasco
Game plan
Dilly-dallying on the part of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in giving a U/A certification to actor and Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay’s film ‘Jana Nayagan’ thereby delaying the film’s release, slated for the Pongal day, seems to be a ploy by the BJP to give additional hype and boost to the actor’s film and to bring discredit to Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) by making the gullible voters believe that the delay in the film’s release is because of the DMK government. Further, the CBI summoning actor Vijay to Delhi instead of at either of their offices in Chennai and Karur, during Pongal time, for an inquiry into the stampede that led to the death of 42 people during the actor’s rally in Karur, is also alleged to be a drama scripted by the BJP for the same purpose. As BJP, which is now convinced that their NDA, with AIADMK as their lead ally, will not be able to unseat the DMK government, the party has changed its strategy now and has decided to go all out to extend support to TVK in whatever way possible and help the party win the elections scheduled to be held in Tamil Nadu.
Tharcius S Fernando, Chennai
Managing crowds
A mega crowd was witnessed at the Goa Gramin Food Festival on Sunday, the last day of the festival, which was held in the courtyard of INOX in Panaji. Similarly, many other events like the NOMOZO in Porvorim and the Aqua Goa Mega Fish Festival, also held in the city, too witnessed huge crowds on the same day. Many people attending such festivals or events generally exhibit poor civic sense. The gash bins kept at the food festival were insufficient. Moreover, the entrances at such events should have a divider placed so that the people going in and those coming out of the venue do not crash into each other. Also, there should be people arranged to clear the thoughtfully provided round tables as people finish eating and leave their dirty plates and stuff behind. Organising so many events gives people multiple choices but what about the traffic and parking places? I did not see any police controlling traffic or any firefighting equipment. Prevention is better than cure and I suggest that steps for the safety of people attending such events should be taken before any tragedy strikes.
John Eric Gomes, Porvorim
