The Importance Of Wrong Movies

With the Advent of Social Media, one of the most important concepts to have risen is the idea of political correctness. But an important thing that has been forgotten is the idea that it is the very opposition of views that has constantly reminded us of what it is to be humans. And the single most important medium to have been affected by this is Cinema, due to its own nature of exposure. Filmmakers like Pa Ranjith have constantly tried to attempt a representation of an ideal world in in terms of politics primarily of all types. Gender politics, Identity Politics everything. But for the sake of this article, I will choose to focus on gender politics and in particular, relational politics by the example of 2 Telegu films: One is the every famous, Arjun Reddy and second is the recent film of Vijay Devarakonda’s younger brother, Anand Devarakonda, Baby. Now I haven’t seen Baby but I have read enough to know that It is not your typical love triangle film atleast politically.

For the sake of cinema, I’ll try to link below a Cinematic Breakdown of Arjun Reddy, wherein its form and style is discussed regarding how it uses its form to create the impact that it did.

https://youtu.be/HwP2RpEr480

Both Arjun Reddy And Baby are love stories. Wherein Arjun Reddy follows a couple’s story from the POV of the male, Baby is a love triangle with the girl at the centre. While Arjun Reddy has long been criticised for its alleged misogynistic views, Baby has also been accused of similar problems wherein the woman in question does questionable things. Now the problem is not that these films are allegedly problematic. There is a certain subjective gaze here which seems to have been ignored. There are certain things, like the Holocaust for example, which are universally condemned things, but to establish that same condition over the views of an individual’s views, to seek a certain normalcy in its depiction conveys a certain insecurity that society has over its own views.

But let us now stand on the side that both these films are problematic. The issues levied against both are that of derogatory representation of women when compared to the males. Arjun Reddy has known to glorify the actions of the male whereas the female is represented as a docile, soft person. Now while, we could say that all these are regressive ideas and that a woman can also be brave, it itself becomes a failed argument because it denies the women the agency to be who she wants to be. If her representation as a soft person is wrong, she must be the one to take agency over it and change herself rather than to be swayed by others opinions. This is something that a Film Like Dear Comrade, another Vijay Devarakonda film, tried to convey but failed to convey in its climax. Lily even points out saying how everyone conveyed what they wanted her to do, but refused to ask what she wanted to do. This is exactly what modern Day social media tends to do.

Another important aspect that has often been ignored is the reaction that such movies get and the response it illicites. Director Sai Rajesh himself said how he was disappointed by the enthusiastic response of the audience when one male lead curses at the female lead but gave no reaction when the female lead hits back at him. What this reveals is the nature of society. It is not so the movie that represents the society rather than the reaction to the movie that represents the society. Through this we have questions regarding what we see and as a result our own notions on that particular subject is challenged.

The problem arises when people without taking the deeper ideas, get satisfied with the surface level representation of the story. We must lap up more films that expound ideas that challenge us rather than those that play it safe .The problem surfaces when there ceases to be prevocational ideas in favour of appeasement of the masses because who knows, when in the future we might never be allowed to have opinions at all. We might probably reach political neutrality when we see a female version Of "Rettai Vaal Kuruvi".

As Lars Von Trier Said:

“I believe in provocation, because provocation starts a debate, and debate is what makes democracy stronger.”