Hindi Journalism Day Special: These films reflect the image of journalism in the mirror of cinema.
journalism is considered the fourth pillar of Indian democracy. Journalism is at the core of asking questions in the public interest, initiating discussion on important issues, and making the general public aware of reality. May 30 is Hindi Journalism Day.
In Hindi cinema many like ‘New Delhi Times’, ‘Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron’, ‘Main Azad Hoon’, ‘No One Killed Jessica’, ‘Peepli Live’, ‘Nayak’, ‘Page 3’, ‘The Tashkent Files’ The films are shown from a journalistic perspective.
These films give a glimpse of the working style and functioning of journalists. In the coming days, Karthik Aryan will be seen as a journalist in the film ‘Dhamaka’. Relations in cinema and journalism, its portrayal in films, and the need to investigate Smita Srivastava and Priyanka Singh …
Society is a model
Cinema is called the mirror of society. The media is a mirror that shows the society and the nation the mirror of its truths. Even in films, the filmmakers have shown all their aspects from their perspective. Shashi Kapoor’s character in the film ‘New Delhi Times’ is a very honest editor.
At the end of the film, it is shown how two political parties use it as a pawn to serve their interests. In the film, ‘Main Azad Hain’ starring Amitabh Bachchan and Shabana Azmi, the aspect of how the media works to create or distort the image for the vested interests is depicted.
Is in the role of a media watchdog
Many films, including ‘Madras Cafe’, ‘Mumbai Meri Jaan’, featured a serious aspect of journalism. Umashankar Singh, a writer from journalism to films, says, ‘Cinema and media have a sibling relationship. Cinema entertains people and speaks of life values. The media’s job is to give information and make people aware. The media is in the role of the watchdog. Media has power. Cinema also uses it. The film ‘Nayak’ is an example of that. ‘
Madhur Bhandarkar said …
From the perspective of journalists, the story talks about the celebrities glowing in the Madhur Bhandarkar-directed ‘Page 3’ newspapers, the motive of big-party parties, and their dual character. It also tries to raise the questions of the editor’s compulsions and the interests of the owner of the newspaper.
Madhur says that after the success of the film ‘Chandni Bar’ and ‘Satta’ in 2001, I suddenly got invitations from parties. I used to go to the party, people from different areas used to come there, but their faces used to be masked. I started doing research. Started thinking from which point of view it should be shown.
Madhur Bhandarkar further said- It was about the year 2003 that I was coming out of a big party in Mumbai. There were many journalists there. Saw three or four journalists going towards the taxi stand on foot in the night. I urged him to leave the taxi stand. After that, I felt that the journalists were talking to big people at the party, but coming out was like a common man. I felt that if I show it from the point of view of a journalist, then it will be perfect because its reach is everywhere.
Film dedicated to honest journalists for The Tashkent Files
The journalist brings out the truth, the film ‘The Tashkent Files’, which explores the mysterious death of Lal Bahadur Shastri, the second Prime Minister of India, made headlines. Its story was also composed around the search for a journalist. Its writer and director Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri say that I have dedicated my film ‘The Tashkent Files’ to honest journalists.
The reason is that honest journalists are doing the work of exposing the truth hidden in it, by saving the society which is deteriorating due to corrupt people. The reason behind choosing print media instead of electronic media in the film is that electronic media is often limited to a room.
Newspaper journalists work deeply on the truth behind the news because what they write, becomes a document. In the research of this film, after the death of Lal Bahadur Shastri, newspaper articles published at that time were the most useful. The same articles formed the foundation of the film.
Journalist Kuldeep Nayyar said…
Before the death of the veteran and senior journalist Kuldip Nayar, I reached out to many other journalists through his interviews and inputs. Indian journalists have played an important role in making this film. The role of the actors plays an important role in making any character believable. Actor Satyajit Mishra, who played the boss of a TV channel in the film ‘No One Killed Jessica’, inspired by the Jessica Lal Murder Case, says that as much honesty as journalism required, honesty was also needed to put this character on the screen.
I was made the boss of a journalist who is very sharp and ambitious. When that relationship is understood then it becomes easy to do the character. The film was titled on a headline. Previously, questions were asked from a leader without fear. Today hardly anyone asks such questions, There are many reasons behind it. Commercial things create pressure. It is very difficult to do journalism honestly.
Make the media work as a mirror Many times, efforts are also made to present the news in sensationalism in the media.
True journalism seen in some films
The film ‘Mumbai Meri Jaan’ has an excellent portrayal of TV news channels in which the news is used sensationally, even when it speaks of a major tragedy like the July 11, 2006, Mumbai train bombings. The film ‘Peepli Live’, produced by Aamir Khan, featured the face of TV journalism, where TRP’s sports matter more than anyone’s life.
It was based on the media. Where electronic media is involved in covering a farmer’s suicide. Actor Raghubir Yadav, who became a farmer in the film, says that before joining films, I had worked in a newspaper in Jabalpur. Was taking the exam for high school, if there was no money in fees, then the press had joined. There was an evening newspaper called Narmada Jyoti. Used to do printing work there during the day, Used to go out in the evening to distribute the paper.
At that time, newspapers used to talk about improving society. Nowadays, there is a thought on how to make a heading. This profession has also become business. Although not all are in the media, there are some people, who were mentioned in the film ‘Peepli Live’. They forget to think about the farmer in the TRP race. Farmer Nattha has to leave the house. Media is very important in society.
He is a mirror of society. The job of a mirror is to make things look real, not to distort them. There was an attempt to show the same in ‘Peepli Live’. Happened in the film. They forget to think about the farmer in the TRP race. Farmer Nattha has to leave the house. Media is very important in society. He is a mirror of society. The job of a mirror is to make things look real, not to distort them.
There was an attempt to show the same in ‘Peepli Live’. Happened in the film. They forget to think about the farmer in the TRP race. Farmer Nattha has to leave the house. Media is very important in society. He is the mirror of society. The job of a mirror is to make things look real, not to distort them. There was an attempt to show the same in ‘Peepli Live’.
Need the courage, to tell the truth
Actress Shweta Basu Prasad, who plays a newspaper journalist in the film The Tashkent Files, says that I am a graduate in journalism myself. This study of mine helped me a little to play the character. I respect the media and journalists a lot.
Need courage, to speak the truth, to research, and to work on deadlines. I have worked on my columns. It is a difficult job, you always have to be ready to bring the truth to the people. Both film and media follow each other.
