Recently Union Health Minister Ambumani Ramadoss remarked that Shahrukh Khan should not smoke on-screen. This has created a controversy that whether the smoking on-screen influences people to take up the habit or not. Movies and television have a great influence on people’s mind. In India we give status of demigod to the actors we love. Whatever they wear becomes fashion. Let it be Madhuri’s purple sari or green and white sharara from Hum apake hai kyon, it is instant hit. People still can’t forget the friendly gesture between Shahrukh and Kajol from the movie Kuch kuch hota hai.
Clearly these are the signs that people get carried away to what their favourite actors are doing on the screen. Under such circumstances smoking on-screen by popular actors is too followed by their millions of their fans. Though it is argued that the youth have their own brain and they know what is right and what is wrong. But smoking shown on screen may have very adverse effects on the school going kids who cannot judge what is wrong and what is right. They simply follow their icons blindly and think whatever they do is ‘cool’. These smart kids have access to the internet, mobile phone and cable TV. They know everything but do not know what is good for them. If in this tender age they know that the smoking is bad for health then they will learn better.
Fans not only copy the fashion and mannerism of the film-stars but they believe them completely. Few months ago, youth started thinking differently after watching path-breaking film ‘Rang de Basanti’. The film made such impact on the minds of the youth that they started taking issues on the internet, made protest to pressurize government, (protest for Jessica Lal case and reservation) etc. Another example of media having impact on people is ‘Lage Raho Munnabhai’. Gandhigiri was the new mantra of the life. These are some of the positive examples. But murder or robbery scenes from movies like ‘Satya’ and teleserial ‘CID’ has been used to actual robbery. If these movies manage to influence the youth of the country then children are even easier to influence. Even if the movie or any other media do not intend to spread smoking even the subtle actions may affect the children.
Another argument given against the ban of the smoking on screen is the ‘creative liberty’. There are hardly any critically acclaimed or box-office hit movies which revolve around smoking. So if smoking or similar habits are not the integral part of the film, then they can be easily removed from the film. If they are the integral part of the film then the film-makers or actors should not glorify it. Because bad habits portrayed by the protagonist and the same habits depicted by the antagonist may have the different effects.
Mass Media is definitely a great tool of education. Even if one small action is having a negative impact on the very small section of the society then we should introspect and try to eliminate that action. Because on the receiving end of that action are the children who are the future of the India. If they have the right guidance then nothing can stop them from doing what they want to do.
Hollywood’s one of the biggest studio Disney has decided to ban smoking from their films. Other big studios too are taking similar steps. So anyways when we copy lots of things from Hollywood we can copy their idea of banning smoking on-screen too.
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3 comments:
You are absolutely correct dhanu. media houses very conveniently hide their agendas under the pretext of 'people want to see this'. But we know it's just agenda setting.
Though, it can also bring out the arguement that is magic bullet theory (or hypothesis, I am not sure) really holds true. That people are dumb and absorb whatever trash media gives them. I cannot answer this question now at least.
I beleive that only smoking is not the area where we need to look for. I partially agree to the fact that yes the fans are inspired by the stars and go to the extent of getting same clothes and stuffs but smoking is not something you can adapt from looking at your stars. As far as childrens who cannot choose between right or wrong they have someone or other to get them on right way. You are referring to a certain section of society who easily get into smoking.
Ramadoss, health minister has lots of work inspite of checking out on the fact who is smoking on-screen. I will not oppose smoking on-screen completely because sometimes it's the part of characterization in the movie. You have mentioned about the Disney channnel. Disney has a specific target audience of kids and teen-agers so they understand their moral duties so accordingly they have equiped themselves with certain bans. But as far as other production houses like 20th Century Fox, Universal pictures or Warner Bros are not taking any such drastic steps. If one really wants to stop smoking then the basic thing is there should be awareness.
Infact other studios too are trying to limit the on-screen smoking. check this link.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/01/business/media/01smoke.html
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