Paatal Lok creator Sudip Sharma reveals being disturbed by violence in mainstream cinema; ‘One man enters a hotel with a gun and…’

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Recently, Sudip Sharma – the imaginative force behind films like NH10, Udta Punjab, Paatal Lok, and Kohrra – voiced his worries regarding the representation of violence in mainstream movies. He found it unsettling when films portray a solitary figure storming into a hotel armed, massacring numerous people, with no mention of law enforcement involved.

During a chat with OTTplay, filmmaker Sudip Sharma voiced his worries about the depiction of violence in popular movies today. He commented, “Violence seems to have evolved into its own goal within the broader mainstream film industry, which I find troubling.

In his opinion, depicting violence without any repercussions can lead to issues. He emphasized the emotional strain actual violence inflicts on people and explained that even brief instances of violence, such as a street brawl, can have long-lasting effects.

Based on his personal upbringing in Assam during the 1980s and 1990s, the author revealed that observing violence directly influenced his outlook on life.

Sudip ponders over movies featuring characters who indiscriminately kill large numbers without facing any ramifications, but are still idolized as heroes. His worry lies in the apparent desensitization of contemporary viewers towards on-screen violence devoid of repercussions.

He wondered aloud, “A single individual walks into a hotel brandishing a firearm, taking the lives of 150 innocents, yet no one inquires about the police response. Why is there an eerie silence on this issue?” Sharma expressed his concern that such violent acts are romanticized and that the moral implications of these characters’ deeds seldom come under scrutiny.

In my perspective as a dedicated follower, I firmly believe that violence shouldn’t serve as the primary theme in films. When it comes to NH10, our intention wasn’t to celebrate violence, but rather to illustrate how acts of violence breed further violence and the unavoidable outcomes they bring about.

Instead of merely using violence as a final goal, he sees it as a means to delve into the profound consequences and underlying themes of such acts within the context of Paatal Lok.

Additionally, he underscores the point that Paatal Lok isn’t solely focused on the violence depicted, but instead delves into the root causes that fuel such acts of violence. He strongly advocates for examining the broader systemic aspects that lead characters to engage in violent behavior.

Through exploring these motives, we might develop a more profound insight into the characters involved, and possibly tackle the underlying social concerns that are being portrayed. This method, as proposed by Sharma, is crucial in deciphering the core message of Paatal Lok – employing violence to scrutinize and challenge systemic issues.

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2025-01-21 16:37