Are movies like “Dhamaka” and web series like “Mumbai Diaries 26/11” justified in portraying the mainstream media and news channels on television as selfish?
We all watch movies. We like some things about them, we might hate other things, and we also try to copy some of it. Watching movies helps us grow. But, when we watch movies, there are several roles we can relate our lives to. We get entertained by how exactly the character depicts our way of speaking, walking, gesticulating and whatnot.
However, Bollywood sometimes forces us to question the characters and themes of movies. In my personal opinion, I have never liked how Bollywood depicts “media channels”, especially so during the last few years.
I would also like to direct your attention towards some recently released, digital content: Dhamaka and Mumbai Diaries 26/11. Now, let me ask you to recall the themes you have watched in them.
There is a confusing mixture of thrill and nonsense in them. Talking about the movie Dhamaka, I believe it was weakly plotted—no meaning, no twists and no sense at all.
But, the one thing which was persistent in the whole movie, was the ruthless and selfish behaviour of the so-called “boss” of the news channel.
One can see how eager the lady (Amruta Subhash’s character) is for the channel’s growth, scolding and taunting her reporters for the best coverage. She wants them to move to the spot of event to get “breaking news.”
Though I am not a journalist, I can assure you with 100% accuracy that no true media person would behave in the way she was shown to behave, in the movie.
The same is my contention with the web series Mumbai Diaries 26/11. Basically, these kind of shows depict a “hate for profit” media: a media which can do anything for the sake of TRP (television rating points) or more views.
Why is this a topic of concern? Because our country is starving for the truth (or true journalism). We specifically need to keep our eyes to the way people and pop culture depict such frontline professions.
We do not have to encourage the way media is today. But instead, we need to keep looking forward to true journalism and stop consuming the “hate for profit” media.
Movies are an important part of our lives, for they teach us about a lot of things. So, it is important that we ensure that they teach us the appropriate thing. Our next generation shouldn’t define media, or any profession, as selfish and dominant.
Spreading hate news, with spice for profit, is a slow process of building destructive minds. But, it will surely hamper the bright futures of our upcoming generations.