Geeta was living in Pakistan, separated from her Indian home for over a decade, until the fame of the Bollywood movie Bajrangi Bhaijaan gave her story a public platform and she found her family again.
Geeta's impending relocation exemplifies the power of cinema to work as a social catalyst and bring change. We note eight contemporary Bollywood movies that effectively tackled socially significant issues and left a lasting impact on us.
1. Bajrangi Bhaijaan
Bajrangi Bhaijaan is the story of an ordinary Indian man who takes extraordinary measures to help a speech-impaired, stranded Pakistani girl find her home. Munni's innocence and Bajrangi's magnanimity are endearing in light of the conflict between the neighbouring countries. The moral is simple: humanity trumps racialized boundaries of nation and religion. Geeta's story resembles the film's — only with a reversal of the countries, she being of Indian origin and living in Pakistan under the care of well-known humanitarian organization the Edhi Foundation.
Photo Credit: www.ibtimes.co.in
2. Pk
A science fiction comedy, Pk brings home the idea of human equality unfettered by religion. An alien lost on Earth, Pk (Aamir Khan) is repeatedly told that invocation of God is the only way for him to return home. On his quest to find God, he challenges the very existence of deities, questions the meaning of religious rituals and, most importantly, exposes the commercial motives behind organized religion. In a society torn by religious prejudices and violence, Pk's mesage of oneness is crucial and profound.
Photo Credit: www.indiatvnews.com
3. Swades
Mohan (Shah Rukh Khan), a non-resident Indian, dedicates his time and prowess to helping a North Indian village develop a hydro-electric power plant and solve its electricity problems. In contrast to those who are concerned only with their own material growth, he embodies noble values of compassion and kindness, geared at bridging gaps between economic classes. Swades reminds us of educating and helping those who are less privileged. It shows that with a true conviction, you can find creative ways to alleviate other people's problems.
Photo Credit: www.mouthshut.com
4. Black
5. 3 Idiots
Photo Credit: www.santabanta.com
6. English Vinglish
Photo Credit: www.kayfil.wordpress.com
7. Chak De India
After being humiliated for losing a game to Pakistan, the former captain of the Indian men's field hockey team, Kabir Khan (Shah Rukh Khan), turns to coaching the women's hockey team and uniting them for a common goal. The film explores themes of religious bigotry, sexism and regional prejudices. Chak De India had a pivotal influence on society, with the slogan displayed and the title song played at sports events. The Indian Hockey Federation acknowledged the film's influence in winning the Asia Cup in 2007.
Photo Credit: www.successyeti.com
8. Rang De Basanti
A group of students protests against the government after one of their friends dies in a jet crash, the responsibility for which lies with a corrupt defence minister. The film speaks of Indian freedom fighters of the past in order to motivate and inspire the today's youth. The film had a powerful impact in terms of fostering youth activism. Shortly after the film's release, street protests were organized for the Jessica Lal murder case, for Priyadarshini Mattoo's rape case and against the Indian reservation system.
Photo Credit: www.santabanta.com
Sonia Malik
Author
Sonia writes on current affairs and pop culture. An English graduate from the University of Toronto, she identifies as a global citizen, feminist and nature lover. She will be ready to shake a leg to a peppy Bollywood beat any day.
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