Depicting Dilemma Through Hindi Films
The bewilderment of personal and social living finding their way to Hindi film screen.
Human life is full of perplexities.
These perplexities arise not only from the unknown mysteries of the surrounding universe, but they also emerge from the tensions and strains within interpersonal and social relationships.
The societal norms even if they are useful to identify diverse schemes, individuals often come to a point where such societal norms obstruct personal aspirations.
Hence, there are many concerns and issues that bring to human lives puzzling quandaries.
As films in their appearance and in their stories reflect our actual world, films often attempt to depict dilemmas that emerge in the course of one's life.
Saat Sawaal by Homi WadiaUltra Media & Entertainment
Particularly, Hindi films are able to showcase such dilemmas because as an ancient society India has a range of traditional and customary viewpoints; and at the same time individuals of a new modern nation often have their aspirations contradicted with such customs.
Zindagi by Gemini PicturesUltra Media & Entertainment
The contradictions in Hindi films emphasize negotiation between settled perceptions of the society and the yearnings of the individuals.
ZindagiUltra Media & Entertainment
Baffling Vows
In this film, Zindagi, Beena's marriage realizes with her beloved on the condition that she stays away from her theatre director, so that there no are illicit speculations.
ZindagiUltra Media & Entertainment
She ends up seeking promise from her theatre director to stay away from her, without telling him the reason for doing so and leaving the director wondering: why so?
ZindagiUltra Media & Entertainment
To Say or To Remain Silent?
Later, the theatre director is framed in a murder case, and he can save himself, by confirming to the court that he was in his own house on that night when the crime was committed. But he cannot reveal the name of the woman who was with him that night as that would defame her.
The one you love, doesn't love you back!
This is one of the common tropes in Hindi cinema: to depict a situation where one's loved interest is already engaged. This could be the central theme in a film, or it could be the initial premise to which the film responds.
Yun Hota Toh Kya HOTA..WHAT IfUltra Media & Entertainment
Perplexities that emerge in the strivings of life.
This film, Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota, features many characters from different background who are confronting the predicament of their personal situation.
Yun Hota Toh Kya HOTA..WHAT IfUltra Media & Entertainment
The first such character is a middle aged man who finds out his lover has been cheating on him, which leaves him vexed.
Yun Hota Toh Kya HOTA..WHAT IfUltra Media & Entertainment
Then a young woman is perplexed to find how her deserving friend cannot take the opportunity to study abroad due to an ailing father and poor economic condition.
Yun Hota Toh Kya HOTA..WHAT IfUltra Media & Entertainment
A poor woman who has an abusive husband, is wondering how she can make her daughter come out of their difficult plight.
LoaferUltra Media & Entertainment
A Difficult Choice
In the film, Loafer, the woman is given a difficult choice to either let her brother be killed by the evil-giant, or to help the villain to execute his plan in exchange for her brother's life.
AuratUltra Media & Entertainment
The Struggle of a Woman
Aurat speaks of the perpetual dilemmas that women face while fulfilling the responsibilities they own up to, and at the same time somehow manage to remain a moral support to others in those difficult circumstances.
Do KaliyanUltra Media & Entertainment
A Puzzle For The Children
Then there are narratives, where younger generation, often children are left wondering how to repair the older ties. In the film, Do Kaliyan, separated twin daughters think of ways to reunite their estranged parents.
MahanandaUltra Media & Entertainment
A Person Against The Norm
Then there are predicaments that come from prejudices of the social norms. In Mahananda, a college professor falls in love with the daughter of a devadasi. While devadasis were dancer women dedicated to temple worship, in the course of time, 'devadasi is a harlot' has become the perception among the locals.
The college professor struggles with the dilemma: how to reconcile between his love for a devadasi and his relatives who would be disapproving of such a match.
The similarity between the film and the actual world triggers an interest to address the dilemmas of life.
If a fulfilling answer is found, it can be hoped to be implied in the actual living.
But if it fails to be implied in actuality, there would be a satisfaction of having solved the quandary at-least on the screen.
Curation and write-ups: Abhishek Kukreja
