While English films may seem more slick and impressive, Indian films are more relevant

‘Inspired’ by Bollywood or Hollywood movies?

While English films may seem more slick and impressive, Indian films are more relevant

The general perception of college students is that they like to bunk lectures and watch movies. What gets missed is that even students who religiously attend lectures six days a week do watch movies occasionally to unwind from the pressures of studying multiple ‘taxing’ subjects. Also, while students are not really supposed to take what happens in movies seriously, there are some instances when you get a fair idea of what a career involves by watching them. The question is whether you should consider Bollywood or Hollywood movies as an indication? Quite frankly, it’s a choice between style and substance. The character essayed by Jennifer Lopez in ‘The Wedding Planner’ may seem more professional but in the Indian context, a ‘Band Bajaa Baraat’ is much more relevant. Similarly, Tom Hanks may make a great soldier in ‘Saving Private Ryan’ but the characters in movies like ‘Border’ or ‘Prahaar’ give you a more realistic picture of what being in the Indian armed forces entails. Watching Shahrukh Khan as the chef in ‘Duplicate’ is an eye opener to the pressures that have to be dealt with while the prima donna act by Catherine Zeta Jones in ‘No Reservations’ would surely get you thrown out of a job here! Even if you feel like taking up teaching as a profession, it’s better to see a ‘Taare Zameen Par’ or ‘Paathshala’ rather than Sidney Poitier in ‘To Sir, With Love.’ Bollywood films have evolved to the extent that they don’t hesitate to show the realities of professions. So characters of doctors or even architects, while not comprehensive enough to give the complete picture, at least provide a fair idea of the challenges that lie ahead.