If you could erase one movie from your memory and watch it again for the first time, which one would it be?
The fascination with cinema lies in its ability to tell compelling stories that resonate with audiences. Since its inception in India with Dada Saheb Phalke in 1913, cinema has evolved significantly, giving rise to iconic films and a vibrant industry, particularly in Hindi cinema known as Bollywood. The golden age of Hindi films produced classics like “Kagaz ke Phool” and “Mughal-e-Azam,” showcasing remarkable storytelling and artistic achievements. While cinema continues to impact society and culture, modern trends indicate a shift towards prioritising box office success over quality content, with a mix of both exemplary and substandard films currently available.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- Cinema captivates audiences through compelling storytelling and visual experiences, evolving since its beginnings in India in 1913.
- Hindi cinema, particularly Bollywood, emerged as a significant cultural influence, producing iconic films during its golden age.
- Films like ‘Kagaz ke Phool’ and ‘Mughal-e-Azam’ highlight the varying impacts and narratives within Indian cinema.
- Modern cinema often prioritises box office success over quality content, leading to both exemplary and substandard films.
- Despite challenges, cinema remains a powerful medium that influences society and culture significantly.
Cinema fascinates
Out of all media of expression, the one which has fascinated the world is cinema. It is because it can produce a visual story which easily connects with humans. Though writing occupies the top position, for it gives a framework to every form of expression.
Cinema affected humans
Cinema is like a beautiful edifice built piece by piece using a framework. An effective script on a powerful story can create wonders helped by tight direction and background music. The audio and visual signals combine in an organised storytelling style, captured on celluloid fascinated and amused humans for a long time. While watching an intense story, captured on a few meters of celluloid reels produced mesmerising effects on the audience.
Cinema in India
Ever since the cinema started in India by Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, respectfully called Dada Saheb Phalke in 1913, films in India took great strides. It deeply touched people’s psyche and told numerous stories through celluloid. It is not hard to visualise the degree of excitement, amusement and impact of moving pictures on the silver screen on the people. The medium became an instant hit, and people beelined for the box office. (Cultural India)
Cinema gave an exhilarating experience
Since 1913, especially after 1931 when the first talkie was introduced, Indian cine-goers experienced an exhilarating visual experience. They would squeal with joy, laugh and shed tears while watching films. They could experience a real-life story right in front of them. Cinema produced many iconic films on various topics both in India and abroad.
Regional films
In India, regional films impacted local people. Produced in vernacular languages, regional films played well. An overall effect was created by using a widely understandable language.
Cinema and Bollywood
It was the Hindi language, spoken by more than forty per cent of the population and understood widely, which acted as a broad umbrella. Though regional films continued to retain their autonomy and influence, Hindi films emerged as a game-changer because of their wide intelligibility. A new seat of cinema production emerged, popularly known as Bollywood, following in the footsteps of Hollywood.
Golden period
In India, Hindi cinema saw a golden period. It was an era when great films were produced, released, and loved by viewers. The craze for cinema was such that “House Full” became a catchphrase in cinemas.
Production houses
Big production houses produced films under their banner and distributed them through distributors. Prabhat Film, Gemini, Rajshree, AVM, PP (Prasad Production), RK Films and Navketan Films et cetera are but a few great banners which produced iconic films. The films conveyed positive messages and were blockbuster hits.
Iconic film
Picking a few out of numerous iconic films is like searching for a needle in a bundle of hay. The films covered a wide variety from Bombay noir to old B&W classics. Period films, social films or comedy all entertained and created their viewers’ base. Some influenced youth of the time with their western touch and gentleman’s sophistication while some appealed to the section which liked music, melodious songs and light stories with a pinch of humour.
The journey
Hindi cinema travelled long distances passing through undulating highs and lows. Beginning humbly with poor technology and punchy storylines, cinema has now reached a point where technology has taken centre stage, quantity has overtaken quality, and good content is overshadowed by substandard, almost cheap content. Modern films are primarily based on excessive violence, offensive language and poor dialogue, which are in abundance despite the censor’s scissors. Though makers are producing good, quality films, there are a few. The improved technology, expensive gadgets and paraphernalia have increased the cost of film. Thus, the thrust is basically on “Box Office Collection”, instead of the quality of the content. The collection has become a talk of the town.
Understanding the crux
A little deep dive into the films of the golden period would help to understand the point. Among the films of that period some can be chosen but for this discourse, the two films that are taken are “Kagaz ke Phool” (Paper flowers), and “Mughal-e-Azam” (The grand Mughal).
Films sometimes fail
It is a popular saying that literature is the mirror of society. The happenings of society and its struggle to fight out the vicious elements are natural reflections in literature. Cinema is a powerful medium which is an ideal blend of several elements of literature and art. A powerful plot, strong story, brilliant direction, effective use of light and shade to enhance the emotions, settings and good music with melodious songs all boil down to give an artistic film. Despite the presence of all elements perfectly woven in a tapestry, sometimes the work fails to create the desired effect. Either because it fails to convey the message, or the message couldn’t be perceived by the audience. It ends up as a flop film. The film “Kagaz Ke Phool” falls in this category.
Cult classic
Directed by GuruDutt, the famous actor and director of the time, “Kagaz ke Phool” released in 1959. The first Indian film shot in Cinemascope, it is in a reflexive mood, showing the transience of glamour and glitter in the film industry. Things soon volatilise in the thin air. Though it was a box office flop, the story of the film repeated itself in reality, too. Shocked by the failure of the film, GuruDutt died of a heart attack in 1964, a few years after its release. Later, recognised as a cult classic and included in the syllabus of the Film and Television Institute of India.
The plot
The film is about the double standards of society and individuals. The plot is very heavy and melancholic. The film starts with an old, worn-out individual who climbs a ladder at a deserted film studio and sits in the director’s chair. Flashback starts taking the viewers on different twists and turns of life. It ends with loneliness and dejection with a background sound that underscores the ephemeral nature of society. It shows the shrewdness and selfishness of people who with time become treacherous. The film depicts the hypocrisy of society through the In-Laws family and the protagonist’s estranged wife. Pretending to be refined, anglicised blacks, they hate the film industry. They are convinced that people who work in film are immoral. The protagonist Sinha’s wife didn’t like his interaction with their only child, a daughter.
Period film
Among other films of the time, the film that attracted maximum viewership and handsome box office collection was “Mughal-e-Azam”. The film is based on the fictional love story of Saleem (Son of King Akbar) and Anarkali (A court dancer). Akbar, father of the crown prince Saleem was strictly not in favour of this relationship, but the son was hellbent to carry on it to the logical end. The difference culminated in a war of wit which converted to full fledge war. Unable to arrest Anarkali because of the bravery of Saleem’s Rajput friend Durjan Singh, the furious king orders a death sentence for his son, maintaining the capital punishment for Anarkali.
Truly iconic
The film took sixteen years to complete and was a very expensive film of its time. Producer/director K. Asif had become bankrupt. The film became an instant hit after its release in 1960. People beelined for this film. It was a magnum opus creation which successfully showcased the glamour, grace and gravity of a Mughal king. The sets were par excellence. Melodious songs, spotless beauty of Madhubala and her impressive acting, and punchy, powerful exchange of dialogues between the king and his revolting son are simply excellent. They kept audiences glued to their seats.
Cinema: a powerful medium
As a powerful medium, cinema carries a great responsibility toward people and society. It is a torchbearer of change, cultural identity and overall nationality that affects a large number of people who idolise its actors and follow them. It is the reason why artists of the film industry are entering the political arena to show their political prowess. They are taking responsibilities as lawmakers and top political executives.
The popularity of cinema is quite obvious. Nonetheless, people are intelligent and use prudence. They know how to differentiate good and bad before making a decision. It is right and it should be so.
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Kamal Kishore Srivastava
A retired government officer turned writer and photographer, Kamal Kishore Srivastava is a regular blogger and essayist who explores life’s deeper meanings through immersive reflections on nature, impermanence, and happiness. On his blog Nature’s Narrative, he blends philosophical storytelling with practical insights. Writing 1,200–1,500 words or more regularly, Kamal is committed to refining his craft, expanding his audience, and building a sustainable space where thought and feeling intersect.
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