Art emulates life. How delightful it is to sit back and get teleported to another world for few hours. Isn’t It? The world we get transported into while watching a movie sometimes appear to be larger than life.
What better source can we have to widespread a message other than movies? Movies can talk about social evils like no other medium. They have the power to express an issue, talk about it and make people believe it. In recent years we have had really bold and thought-provoking masterpieces that made all of us think.
Let’s look at some movies that have woven a social message into the fabric of storytelling.
#1 Kya Kehna
Released in 2000, Kya Kehna portrays the story of an unmarried pregnant girl who fights the world for her baby. A girl faces the criticism from the entire society and even her family but she manages to survive all the odds for her baby.
#2 Matrabhoomi
Released in 2003, Matrabhoomi was based on the social issues of the female foeticide. The movie showcased the future of the country without girls. The film revolves around the story of a girl who is married to 5 brothers.
The film successfully impacted many Indian households and as a result, there was a hike in the sex ratio of many states.
#3 Aligarh
Our Indian society doesn’t accept change easily. Aligarh is a beautiful movie that portrays the story of a homosexual man and the criticism faced by him for being different. It showcases the pain and agony that a person has to face for being different.
#4 Pink
Amitabh Bachchan and Tapsee Pannu starrer movie Pink is focused on fighting for your fundamental rights. There are many women who are molested and raped and asked to stay quiet because of the society. However, the movie gives a message that one should fight for their fundamental rights and such criminals shall be punished for what they have done.
#5 Parched
Released in 2015, Parched movie depicts the story of four Indian rural women. The movie talks about the social evils that the women have to go through such as domestic violence, mental abuse, marital rape, prostitution, misogyny, dowry, patriarchy, physical abuse and child marriage.
#6 Lipstik Under My Burkha
Released in 2016, Lipstick Under My Burkha depicts a story of 4 Indian women and their sexual needs. The movie showcased that just like men, women too can have sexual needs and it’s perfectly fine.
#7 Dangal
The movie is based on the real-life story of the father-daughter duo, Mahavir Singh Phogat, and Geeta Kumari Phogat. While women in India are coerced to choose their careers, this movie showcases a beautiful story where the father supports her daughter to achieve her dreams.
#8 OMG! Oh My God
India is a land of different cultures and religions. Here a lot of activities are carried out in the name of religion- mass killings, honor killings, homicides, ban on movies, protests and what not.
The Akshay Kumar starrer movie explained the essence of true worship of God. It brought forward various improper activities that are going on in our country in the name of God. The movie shattered the myths around seeking God’s blessing from deities.
#9 Toilet- Ek Prem Katha
Defecating in open calls for many diseases and infections. These problems can be avoided with proper access to ‘Toilets’. The movie Toilet- Ek Prem Katha is basically a man’s fight for his wife. One should follow what is right and should not just blindly follow the outdated stigmas.
#10 Vicky Donor
Though India is dealing with overpopulation, there are parents who are struggling to have their own child. And here women are blamed for this. The impotence of men has always been shielded.
Vicky Donor shunned the social taboos behind considering fertility experts and normalized fertility issues. Truly a great piece of work!
#11 Padman
Mensuration is a natural process, yet, our Indian society feels ashamed of talking about it. Akshay with his movie Padman has tried to talk about the subject which people are afraid of and this movie showcases that periods are natural and there is nothing to be ashamed of.