In the first episode of this brand-new season of the First Benchers Podcast, Kartyk and Rahul discuss violence in mainstream movies and the glorifying aspects of it. Addressing the current trend in star-driven blockbusters, we are joined by new guests Lobby Boy and the director of the recently released pilot film Yaalam, Monish Alapatt.
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1. Song: Jazz Hop Trumpet By Snail Music (Loop)
Author: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy / Sony Music Entertainment
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After watching Vikram & Jailer, it becomes very clear that, no other director can ever make another movie like PS-1 & PS-2. Ponniyin Selvan mounted on a grand scale doesn't preach violence, in fact Mani Ratnam sir is a director who is anti-war and it's pretty clear with the way wars were shot in PS movies. To convince any production company to invest in such a grand project sans action and violence, is an uphill task - a very few directors would do, and I don't see which director would go low on violence knowing it'll garner most claps and hooting accompanied by chest-thumping music.
Coming to violence in movies; Vikram, KGF, Bahubali, Jailer, Pushpa are all highly violent films. Bahubali is in fact a strong Pro-war film (no judgement, considering out of all these films, only Bahubali justifies the violence considering it is set in the fictional past and wars are considered as best aspects to show from the bygone era). Honorable mention could be RRR, but it definitely is not the most gruesome except for the lashing sequence. These moments of well choreographed action sequences are the most memorable moments from these films and definitely increase the re-watch value too.
As a producer/filmmaker, why would they want to make a big-budget film with considerably reduced violence or anti-war/ anti-violence sentiments while the opposite has been rich dividends. Films that have had intense bloodshed and have made money at BO include War, Pathaan, Mersal, Thunivu, recent Balayya films etc. Upcoming movies like Jawaan, Kanguva, Leo & Salaar look like it'll be high on action and gruesome violence as well, and seemingly there's no stopping of violence in high budget films.
Why stop? There's a constant need to be different from the usual, and that's the basis of good ART. To facilitate creators/artists with the space to provide a variety of content and wholesome entertainment will create harmony in the industry and the audience will have a lot to choose from. This will increase the probability of seeing a high budget Mystery thriller or a Biography or a new genre that has never been made on a higher budget.
Does it mean no action movies? Action movies don't necessarily warrant for a higher budget, it's the stars involved which shoots up the budget. Action movies will keep getting made, high budget movies can have variety and also Stars can be seen doing different roles as well.
Unwarranted violence on screen is just a result of lousy writing. Highly violent content has been made before and has been received critically well too, eg: Mirzapur, Sacred Games, The Boys, Family Guy etc. The difference is that these films don't justify violence, it's part of the plot. Reducing violence in the name of Heroism is just creating an unstable trend of "High octane hero worshiping Action films" which sooner or later will die out and will create a bigger dent in the creative industry.
