OVER the past few years, a great thing is happening. The Indian film industry has shifted its focus to making historical or what is generally referred to as mythological events or characters. Some movies have done extremely well at the box office, attracting more producers and actors and actresses to this genre. However, with more people getting involved, a new concern has emerged -- Whether the actors and actresses in particular are really portraying the roles of heroes or heroines from history or mythology with responsibility? Every actor and actress, during promotional interviews on various television channels or publications or social media platforms, speaks about how he or she got inspired while preparing for the role of a historical character, how he or she got into the skin of the role. However, once the movie is released, whether is is successful or failure, the actors turn to another project. As professionals, they are well within their right to do so.

 

However, when it comes to portraying the role of a widely respected and revered historical or mythological character, they cannot just switch to some other role in their next ‘project’ that involves mouthing cuss words and wearing body-revealing costumes. Though any movie is a commercial venture, extra care needs to be taken in case of films based on historical or mythological characters. If the heroes or heroines in such films are portrayed by actors and actresses, who mouth cuss words or do body-revealing item songs or engage in photo or video shoots with bare minimum clothes or for products like condoms or undergarments, they may not be able to do full justice to the characters or the core of the story. They (and their followers) may justify it by saying, “We are actors.” But, the people see in them the reflection of the historic or mythological character they play even after the movie is no longer playing in theatres. Hence, whether one likes it or not, the actors have to be more responsible while playing characters revered by the people.

 

This is not being puritanical. The Indian film and television industry has had several positive examples in this regard. Take the example of Arun Govil, who had done some not-so-popular films before immensely popular tele-serial ‘Ramayan’. After ‘Ramayan’, he became a revered figure, above mundane roles. More than the actor, people saw in him a reflection of a virtuous ‘Shri Ram’. Similarly, Nitish Bhardwaj became so popular as ‘Shri Krishna’ that wherever he went people touched his feet in reverence. Dara Singh, the ‘He-Man of India’, shot to fame again when he played ‘Hanuman’ in popular tele-serial ‘Ramayan’. The actors played their roles so well that it had a profound impact on society. People used to bathe before watching ‘Ramayan’ since it was treated as a sacred recitation of the epic in a new form. Anita Guha was highly respected for her role as deity in the movie ‘Jai Santoshi Maa’. Theatres showing ‘Jai Santoshi Maa’ had made arrangements for footwear-stands as people used to enter movie halls bare-footed out of reverence to the deity.

 

However, the same has not happened in the case of commercially successful actor Prabhas, whose portrayal of ‘Shri Ram’ in highbudget movie ‘Adipurush’ was extremely unconvincing despite the roaring success of ‘Bahubali’ franchise earlier. Because, meanwhile, he had played a brutal hero in violence-dominated movies. Though ‘Chhava’ movie featuring Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandhana has done well at the box office, the role of queen Yesubai played by Rashmika has not generated any powerful impact. Because, the actress’ image as dancer in an immensely popular item song, was more etched in public memory. She could not portray Yesubai with such a power that people would forget her past image. In contrast, people have still not forgotten the roles of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj played by Chandrakant and Suryakant, historic and mythological characters played by Sulochana and Jayshree Gadkar from black-and-white era of Indian movies.

 

One more example must be mentioned here -- of Vishnupant Pagnis, who played the titular role in ‘Sant Tukaram’ movie, which was one of the top three films worldwide in 1936-37. When the producers visited him to pay his remuneration after the release of the film, he refused to accept it. The producers thought that he was expecting more, so they offered him double and even quadruple of the amount since the film had done roaring business. Pagnis’ answer stunned them. He said, “After playing the role of an unattached Sant Tukaram, how can I stick to money?” And, he lived the role all through his life. No one expects today’s actors and actresses to have such a sagely approach to their profession. But, it is indeed their duty and responsibility to inculcate in their personality genuine traits of the historical or mythological leads they play. The least expectation from them is not to endorse or support any product or cause that goes against the ethos of good living, and not to mouth cuss words or do item songs with obscene lyrics and dances.

 

Because, once they have played the role of a hero or a heroine or a revered figure from history or mythology, they automatically acquire a greater responsibility towards society. If they realise this, they can drive a very important and much-needed change -- of ridding the film industry of negative, vulgar, irresponsible, violent, abusive, and sleazy content. Do they only play the role for money? Or, do they develop a sense of responsibility? The answers to these questions define whether an actor or an actress becomes a timeless legend.