Actor and director Kamal Haasan once said about the impact of violence in cinema, “I show violent scenes in my movies to make the audience despise violence.” However, there is a section of people who believe that violent movies or the violence that is depicted on the screen plays a major role in the growing violent nature of society. Meanwhile, Dr Thomas Rahel, a consultant psychiatrist at the Mibo Health and Happiness Care in Kochi, speaks about its scientific aspects.
Cinema and violence
There isn’t any conclusive scientific evidence to prove that movies promote violence. So, I don’t think the violence depicted in the movies could directly influence the audience. Human beings can see movies as creative expressions and view them with a realistic approach. They are aware that they are watching a creation of someone’s imagination for two and a half hours. So, most sane people wouldn’t try to copy those scenes in real life.
Meanwhile, celebrating or enjoying violence has been a common thing in our society since ancient times. In our legends, the asuras or the demons are annihilated with extreme violence. Beating someone to a pulp using a mace, tearing a man apart, and beheadings are seen in many ancient myths and legends. Although we enjoy these stories, we never try to copy them.
Some may be affected
Even though ordinary people aren’t affected by the violent scenes in movies, it might be triggering for drug addicts, mentally unstable persons or survivors of childhood trauma and violence. They do not see such scenes as mere movies but as incidents that could trigger their fear and insecurities. The extremely violent scenes that are rampantly being shared on social media could make them uneasy and may even lead to a state of outburst.
Using synthetic drugs
Earlier, cigarettes and alcohol were the only forms of intoxication in our society. But, now, synthetic drugs flow in the veins and blood streams of youngsters. It is quite alarming that children, too, have fallen prey to this drug menace. A child cannot normally enter a classroom or his/her house after consuming alcohol. But someone who uses synthetic drugs can enter classrooms or roam around in public without being detected. They are confident that they could remain unnoticed. These children get boundless energy when they use drugs and do not know how to express or handle it. They may react violently if something or someone provokes them.
A few years ago, one of my patients, a young man, went to a party. He entered into a squabble with other attendees there. He went home to consume a synthetic drug, then picked up a knife and returned to the party to attack the ones who fought with him earlier. It has become common to use synthetic drugs to feel confident or gather courage suddenly
Violence market
Cinema is a lucrative market, and violence has more demand here than any other emotion. Besides, violent movies have a strong fan base all over the world. A recent Malayalam movie became a blockbuster only because of its violent scenes. So, there is no point in arguing that violence shouldn’t be shown in movies when violence can actually grab the audience’s attention. Moreover, the movies often depict social realities. The reality won’t change even if movies are banned or the content is changed.
