I read an article on Haji Mastan and wanted to watch Once upon a Time... in Mumbaai. It was good to find out more about that issue,” says Priyanka M.C, who is 17 years old. She is among those who are challenging the stereotype that teenagers don’t like ‘serious’ movies that have a message. Youngsters may have flocked to see Aisha and Housefull, but they also watched movies like Taare Zameen Par, My Name is Khan, Udaan and Peepli Live in huge numbers.
“I’ve heard many people say that teenagers only like light and fluffy movies,” says Priyanka. But she says, “I think that’s true of some people in all age groups. It’s unfair to point to only teens.” Natasha Gupta, also 17, says she prefers meaningful cinema, “I like movies that tackle an interesting issue in a sensitive manner. Taare... was great because many of us didn’t know about dyslexia. It definitely made me more aware.”
Priyanka challenges the myth that teens today are only interested in simplistic movies, saying, “If you are a law or commerce student, you have to participate in debates at college so teens are definitely interested in movies about social issues.” Student Aditi Sarin says, “I get frustrated when people say that teenagers today won’t watch anything but fluffy movies. In fact, because of the internet, we are very aware and are attracted to movies that have something to say.”
Aditi also says that movies with a message are popular with youngsters because, “Movies like Bengaloored or Taare Zameen Par appeal to teens because they can identify with them,” she says. Natasha adds, “My Name is Khan is one of my favourite movies because prior to watching that, I didn’t know about autism at all. I liked the fact that a Hindi movie portrayed the condition so sympathetically.”
Priyanka gives a simple reason as to why teens are gravitating towards more ‘serious’ cinema, “I think if a movie is well-made with a good story and acting, teenagers will watch it.” Natasha has this to add, “If a movie is purposefully ‘dumbed down’ to attract a teenage audience, it will end up a bad movie which no one will watch.”
Aditi wishes there were more serious movies in Bollywood and says, “If big names like Karan Johar and Shahrukh Khan make meaningful cinema, then it will definitely become popular and also add to their credibility.” Priyanka concludes, “Sometimes we may just want to watch a silly movie but to say that it is all we watch it is to seriously underestimate a big section of the audience.”