INTRODUCTION:

Glorifying harmful or any sort of incorrect behaviour in movies can have significant implications on society. It’s extremely essential for filmmakers to consider the potential impact of their work on audiences across the world who are watching their piece of content. While artistic freedom is important, glorifying abusive behaviour on celluloid may contribute to normalization of harmful actions, influence the audiences as well perpetuate stereotypes in a manner that can be detrimental.

Following are some of the points that all creators must consider before releasing their content piece:

1. Influencing the Young Audiences

A large proportion of the younger generation watches movies and other pieces of content. The maximum number of viewers are the GEN-Z, who represent the youth of our country. These people maybe more susceptible to the influence of media. Movies directly or indirectly shape the values and attitudes of younger viewers, potentially impacting their behaviour as well as their decision making process. If they watch movies which glorify toxic and harmful behaviour, then they’ll start believing that it is absolutely normal for them to also start behaving in the same manner, which is absolutely scary. Indeed, one should have the creative freedom to show a person who is abusive on screen. However, it should be kept in mind that such type of a behaviour shouldn’t be lauded or glorified, since it’s eventually toxic and extremely disturbing. A creator should always keep in mind that the overall message of the film is against such harmful behaviour, irrespective of what role is played by the protagonist.

2. Social Responsibility

Movies should have a social message to create an overall positive impact on our society. Filmmakers have a certain level of responsibility towards the society. What they show on celluloid has an impact on the people in society. For instance, filmmakers can use their platform to create awareness about important issues, challenge various stereotypes and inspire audiences to take action. By telling stories that not only resonate with people, but also spark conversations, they shall have the potential to contribute towards a more inclusive as well as an empathetic society, which will contribute towards the betterment and overall growth of our nation.

3. Perpetuating stereotypes

Glorification of harmful behaviour has the potential of perpetuating stereotypes, reinforcing the harmful beliefs about certain groups or individuals. This can further contribute towards the marginalization and stigmatization of people in real life. By promoting positive values as well as challenging harmful stereotypes, movies can play a role in shaping a more respectful and inclusive culture in society. Thus, perpetuating such stereotypes that can be harmful to society, should be absolutely refrained.

4. The allure of cinematic glamour

Filmmakers often use harmful behaviours such as violence, substance abuse as well as criminal activities to captivate audiences and add a dramatic flair. The depiction of protagonists engaging in morally ambiguous actions carries the possibility of creating a sense of thrill and excitement, blurring the lines between the wrong and the right. It’s important for filmmakers to remember that movies have always been a powerful medium ,influencing societal norms and shaping cultural perspectives.

The impact of such harmful actions on people is indeed undeniable. However, there are without a doubt some potential solutions for this problem.

We shall now study and examine those.

To find a solution to this problem, filmmakers can adopt a more conscientious approach towards storytelling. This mostly involves carefully considering the various consequences of glorifying harmful behaviour, and also exploring alternative narratives that emphasize the various repercussions of engaging in such actions. Collaborative efforts within the film industry ( which includes self regulation, ethical guidelines and many more such practices) can contribute to a more conscious as well as better cinematic experience.

I would like to conclude my article by saying that the cinematic portrayal of harmful behaviour, has a lot of implications on society, reflecting and influencing our values and views. Moreover, there is a lot of power in the hands of filmmakers to formulate narratives that contribute towards the betterment or detriment of our society. By acknowledging the potential impact of their work and embracing a sense of responsibility, filmmakers can help in the cultivation of a more mindful and socially aware audience, ultimately contributing to a healthy social atmosphere and mindset of people.

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