The Return of the Cynic

So I'm an out-and-out optimist, and have always opposed the forces of the-'the world's ending in 2010', 'what's the point, we'll all die anyway', 'there's no such thing as love', type of conversation. I like to look at the up-side, it helps keep me going. What struck me today was, that even though we're evolving to become a world that's super-connected, solution-oriented and mostly sorted (at least at the surface), pop-culture (only talking about films today) suggests that we're becoming more and more cynical by the day.


Bollywood, is a perfect example of our mammoth cynicism. For example, Biwi No. 1 (1999) was a movie about infidelity. For the uninitiated (shameful!) Salman Khan plays the role of an unfaithful husband who has an affair with a supermodel (Sushmita Sen) because his wife (Karisma Kapoo/ur) is too involved with the family. Cut to 7 years later, and there's Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna, another film about infidelity. I'd rather not explain the plot of the film, because even though it was a realistic movie, and was equally loved and hated, it was just so NOT what Bollywood is supposed to be. Family dramas, another beloved genre that has seen amazing successes like Hum Apke Hain Kaun and even K3G, have now become non-existent. Karan Johar has moved from happy-soppy (Kuch Kuch, K3G) to bummed-dumbed (We are Family (PUKE!), MNIK). The ugliness-spear didn't spare love stories either. Gone are the days when the girl's father, religion or another suitor played villians, it's all about confusion, identity crises (suicidal couples, even), and independence, now. Cases in point- Break Ke Baad, I Hate Luv Storys (that was not easy to type), Anjaana Anjaani and the likes. 


Now don't get me wrong, I have nothing against realistic cinema. I'm all for it, really! I love a good, serious, meaningful film. Chak De, Swades, Rang De Basanti- all brilliant films. The idea is to take the audience to a different world, involve them in the character's problems and the solution and end with an ending that leaves them happy, optimistic, and somewhat inspired. There's enough sadness and ugliness in the world as it is. I prefer the Maine Pyar Kiya to the sequel with the 'kyun' in the middle. Also, I'm not a big slapstick comedy fan, either. I can't stand Akshay Kumar and don't even get me started on those 'multi-starrers'.

I'm a strong believer that it's the entertainment industry's responsibility to blind the sadness with the bright and shininess that only comes from dreamy, happy endings with gorgeous people. I would go into TV (from Hum Log to Hum Paanch to Balika Vadhu), but this may just get a little too long/dull/boringgg,

Some would argue that the industry gives people what they want. Maybe. But then Dabangg was the highest grosser last year, and was loved by people from all kinds of social strata and varied tastes in films. 3 Idiots, the second highest grosser, was also one of those inspiring, follow your own path-type movie. Why did people (I) love Band, Baaja, Baraat? 'Cos the thought of weddings and young kids following their dream and falling in love, automatically take you to another world. A happy, disconnected place where everything is new. (even though I was so happy that Ankushka didn't get pregnant after all the love-making. Some changes are good!) This movie deserves a separate post, though. So more on that later. The key point here being, people are looking for happiness, there just isn't enough of it available. And the bad stuff, is easier to spot and absorb.

The world's getting scarier, darker and more and more cynical everyday. If all of us take a pledge to blind the darkness, intimidate the scary and kill the cynic, I just think it'll make life simpler for everyone (no matter how little of 'life' we have left).