Should filmmakers be socially aware?

While this has been the case ever since Thalapathi, people have now come out openly to raise their voice against glorifying stalking in films.

The recently-released Remo, starring Sivakarthikeyan is one such example, where a wannabe actor makes a doctor fall for him — by stalking her through and throughout the course of the film.

Even before the film could hit the theatres, a petition was filed against Remo for glorifying the act — especially given the current mood in the state.

Reportedly, Siva in an interview, admitted that stalking, which is one of the ways to show the hero’s love, is a constant phenomenon in Tamil cinema. He further justified his stance, stating that he doesn’t showcase it in his films with any wrong intention in his mind.

Remo, directed by first-timer Bakkiyaraj Kannan, is now raking in the moolah at the box-office, though. What does that say about our audiences?

Bakkiyaraj responds to the criticism — “My intention was to lure the family to theatres and I believe I have done it. I’ve been getting calls from my friends’ wives, who have appreciated the film, saying that there are no vulgar scenes and that they are able to watch it with their kids. I’ve read the reviews that say otherwise, but I think people are deliberately spreading such messages. Obviously, we cannot satisfy everyone.”

With the ongoing issue gaining momentum every single day, do the audiences need movies that  have social responsibility or a well-packed commercial entertainer?

Producer SR Prabhu, who gave us the critically acclaimed Joker, explains, “Cinema is an art and I don’t agree with restricting films into one specific type. If we are forced to do that, then there is no point in making films at all. There is a place to censor a film and it should be the end of it. Since, movies are made for entertainment; filmmakers tend to create what people like. If a movie makes profits at the box-office, it means that the majority of the people are fine with it.”
So filmmakers needn’t pay heed to these petitions and protests and script a film accordingly?

“Glorifying the act of stalking on films is not only irksome and disgusting — but is also retrograde and seems immature. Even regular audiences feel that it’s getting repetitive and appears forced on screen. These days, woman-bashing songs are forced into films, even when there is no situation demanding it. It’s important for the filmmaker to have minimal sensibilities and avoid scenes like this. I was appalled by the ‘Bittu Padam Di’ song from Trisha Illana Nayanthara. How did it even pass the censors?” questions Halitha Shameem, director of Poovarasam Peepee.

Ultimately, our new breed of progressive directors are savvy enough to make commercial cinema, while maintaining a moral high ground — or are they now?