In the present world, art and culture have become alienated from their very objectives. What uplifted the human mind towards lofty thoughts and consciousness has now been conquered by illusions, consumerism, and commercial strategies. Cinema and television were once promoters of creative abilities and a source of mental recreation. Today, they have turned into big industries governing the thoughts, emotions, lifestyles, and values of people.

Modern humans have gotten themselves stuck in the social pressure of having to see each and every new film and TV series. A social attitude that seems to be spreading these days person who hasn't seen the latest film or series is considered uninformed. And the social media and ads all over just keep reinforcing this kind of mindset: "You are an absolute idiot if you haven't seen or heard about this," and such people are often viewed at the very bottom of the social ladder. How did this social pressure arise here? Who created it?

In other words, people today are under peer pressure to watch movies, serials, and reality shows, as if doing so is a mark of intelligence or modern living. Social conversations, advertisements, and social media constantly remind us that we must watch the latest film or follow the trending program to “belong.” This pressure has turned entertainment into a habitual addiction, almost like a mild form of drug dependency — offering temporary excitement while weakening our originality, focus, and real-life connection.

Entertainment has gradually turned into a psychological addiction and is similar to a drug. Though it gives one pleasure, it makes the theoretical self-reflection of a person and their creative thought weaken. Since such a visual medium normally exploits the tender emotions of people, either consciously or unconsciously, we see our wisdom being surrendered. How many illogical scenes do we watch? Finally, when we come to reflect, we console ourselves saying, 'It's a movie, it's a story, that's why it is like that'.

The entertainment industry thrives by depending on our state of mind. Many people integrate cinema into their lives. They see actors and actresses as their characters. Actors who are fortunate enough to portray good characters are often depicted as superhuman. In reality, it is the screenwriter who created the characters they brought to life, who deserves the respect, but only from that perspective. Similarly, the lyricist and the composer are also involved. Ignoring all this, the people who simply performed the roles are shown as supreme talents. This is where commercialisation takes place, because it is merely a magical illusion created by the media. This 'illusory image' is created through a combination of camera technology, various lighting, makeup, and marketing. The public, without knowing this-or even if they do know, believes this artificiality to be true for the sake of their own mental satisfaction. They enjoy and consume this artificiality

In reality, they are just doing their job, like people do in any other profession. The immense remuneration that most of them get today is not based on their talent or the valuable contribution they bring to society, but is purely based on market demand and a business strategy. This world is progressing through strategies that keep people emotionally connected. It is not an artistic presentation; it's just a market spectacle.

While those who are the backbone of society-the teachers, nurses, scientists, farmers, and labourers-are accorded none. Though their service enriches human life immensely, society is caught in the illusory world of visual media and values such artificially created fame.

Let's take the example of reality shows like "Bigg Boss." The reasons for their popularity are neither based on any artistic value nor on cultural importance. Pressure from the media and society is all that is behind this. Such shows do not elevate or awaken multidimensional emotions or aesthetic sense; they only glorify the commercialisation of every negative emotion, from fights to gossip, slanders, and betrayals. While they certainly stir emotions and create temporary entertainment, they do not contribute to a person's spiritual growth, development, and thinking ability.

In fact, all other professions too must be treated in the same manner. A gardener plants trees and plants; that is a normal job. But there is also a gardener who uses creativity to make it more attractive by planting flowers of various colours in appealing ways, and by installing fountains, waterfalls, and birdhouses. Can't we respect his creativity, too? The same talent an actor shows by performing naturally is shown by the gardener, but the scope for commercialisation of the gardener's work is low. While one person sees it merely as a job, the other does it with a creative vision to create an atmosphere of decorative splendour and peace. Even though both do the same job, the second person makes it an art form. Why shouldn't such excellence be praised? Why are only those who work in visual media given so much importance and recognition? If one thinks this way, the industrialised groups-who call themselves the enlightened-will ridicule them, calling them uncultured.

The 'superhuman' images surrounding film and television stars are all artificial-just fabrications of lighting, cameras, promotion, and an artificially manufactured image. If this magic is removed, they, too are ordinary human beings. Thus, the excessive respect and recognition given to them create extraordinary social inequality.

True art is not in glamour or fame; it is in sincerity and emotion. When a person performs their job honestly and with creative thought, that too is art—whether it is acting, teaching, painting, or farming. Excellence must be respected in all fields; it is not just the excellence seen in visual media, but such excellence can be seen in every walk of society. Society must come out of the illusion of visual media. Even young girls are trapped in this magic. Society must learn to value sincerity and professional dedication, rather than being trapped by huge remuneration and undeserved fame. They must also recognise that excellence can be achieved in every profession.

Positive Aspects of the Entertainment Industry: A Balanced View

However, there are also some positive contributions that the entertainment industry has made to society:

Creative Employment: This industry employs hundreds of thousands of people-screenwriters, technicians, directors, and other workers-offering many steady incomes and opportunities for creative growth.

Cultural Exchange: Through visual media, different cultures and ways of life get introduced to each other across the world, thereby helping in fostering social awareness.

Education and Advocacy: Cinema and television serve as a medium for the mass articulation of potent socio-political criticisms, historical lessons, and progressive ideas.

Amusement: These media give people the light-hearted recreation and relief necessary in stressful modern life.

Remedies: What is to be done to break the Illusion?

The time is now—to wake up from this grand illusion. We can enjoy cinema and television as art, but we should not make them the yardstick for social honour and reward. We can respect actors for their work, but we should not worship them by giving them a superhuman status.

The balance in these regards can be attained, both individually and socially, by doing the following: Conscious Consumption: Approach entertainment as a choice, not a social compulsion. Maintain critical thinking when consuming media. Creative Hobbies: Engaging in creative hobbies like writing, painting, and farming, instead of just being a spectator, helps to awaken our inner sense of art. Respect redefined: Publicly acknowledge in public space and curricula that the teacher, nurse, and sanitation worker add the most practical value to society. Art and culture are to awaken the human spirit and not to enslave us to them. Our culture will regain its beauty and our cultural identity will be preserved only when we begin to respect and recognise the skilled gardener, the committed teacher, and the caring nurse just as much as, if not more than, the actors. Peer Pressure, Consumerism, and the Illusion of Popular Culture.

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