How ‘Toxic’ Cinema Is Reshaping Indian Society – OpEd

In a darkened theater in Mumbai last December, thunderous applause erupted as the protagonist of “Animal” – after committing unspeakable violence – walked triumphantly toward the camera. Three months later, the film has crossed the ₹900 crore mark worldwide, joining the ranks of recent blockbusters like “Kabir Singh,” “Pushpa,” and “KGF” that have sparked nationwide debate over their social impact.

But beyond the box office numbers lies a deeper question: What happens when millions of young viewers consume narratives that glorify problematic behaviors as heroic?

The commercial dominance of these films reveals their extraordinary cultural footprint:

“I have never seen anything like it,” says film distributor Rajesh Mehta. “In smaller towns, ‘Kabir Singh’ screenings were selling out faster than family entertainers. Young men were returning for multiple viewings.”

That film grossed over ₹380 crore ($45 million) worldwide in 2019. “Pushpa: The Rise” (2021) collected approximately ₹365 crore, while “KGF: Chapter 2” (2022) shattered records with earnings exceeding ₹1,200 crore.

According to industry tracker Ormax Media, films featuring aggressive male protagonists have seen a 37% increase in box office collections since 2017 compared to other genres.

What’s particularly concerning to social scientists is their demographic reach. A 2023 FICCI-EY report confirms that audiences aged 15-34 constitute nearly 71% of theatrical viewership in India – exactly the demographic most vulnerable to media influence during critical years of identity formation.

Dr. Priya, media psychologist at Tata Institute of Social Sciences, has studied the impact of these films on young viewers.

“We are seeing troubling patterns,” she explains. “Our 2022 study found that college students who reported higher viewership of films glorifying aggressive masculinity showed a 31% increase in acceptance of controlling behaviors in romantic relationships.”

This aligns with wider research. A 2020 study in the Journal of Media Psychology found that prolonged exposure to such content correlates with increased acceptance of gender-based violence among adolescents.

Perhaps most alarming is the documentary evidence linking media consumption to real-world behavior. National Crime Records Bureau data shows stalking cases increased by 31% between 2017-2021, with court documents in several instances explicitly referencing “film-inspired” behavior.

“In three separate cases last year, defendants cited movie scenes to justify their actions,” notes Advocate Sunita Krishnan, who specializes in gender violence cases. “The judge specifically mentioned this troubling trend in one verdict.”

The industry’s gender bias extends beyond on-screen portrayals. UNESCO and the Geena Davis Institute analyzed 100 popular Indian films in 2021, finding that female characters received only 25% of screen time and 31% of speaking time.

Even more telling is the disproportionate reaction to content based on gender. Films centered on female autonomy face far harsher criticism than male-centered equivalents.

“When ‘Veere Di Wedding’ showed women drinking and discussing their sex lives, there was moral outrage,” notes film critic Anupama. “Yet ‘Kabir Singh,’ which featured far more problematic behavior, was celebrated as ‘bold storytelling.'”

This observation is supported by data. The Media Studies Group found that female-led films face approximately 27% more content restrictions from certification boards compared to male-led equivalents with similar themes.

With over 20 million Catholics in India and educational institutions serving more than 10 million students, the Catholic Church maintains significant cultural influence. Yet its leadership has remained largely silent on this pressing social issue.

“We have a responsibility to engage with the media our communities consume,” says Father Thomas Kuriakose, who teaches media studies in Mumbai. “These films are shaping values more effectively than many sermons.”

Several religious leaders interviewed for this article agreed that the Church could leverage its extensive networks for positive intervention:

“Our educational institutions already reach millions,” notes Sister Maria D’Souza, principal of a prominent Catholic school in Delhi. “Implementing media literacy programs could help young people critically evaluate the messages they receive.”

Industry insiders emphasize that ethical storytelling and commercial success are not mutually exclusive.

Producer Guneet Monga, whose films have tackled complex social issues, points to examples like “Jai Bhim” (2021) and “Thappad” (2020). “These films addressed difficult subjects with nuance and respect for human dignity – and audiences responded positively,” she explains.

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has been criticized for focusing on superficial content issues while ignoring deeper problematic themes. Former CBFC member Arun Mishra believes a more comprehensive approach is needed.

“Rather than mere censorship, we need a framework that evaluates how behaviors are framed narratively,” Mishra suggests. “There is a vast difference between depicting violence and glorifying it.”

For religious institutions like the Church, the challenge is not simply condemning problematic content but promoting media literacy and supporting alternatives.

“Faith communities have historically been cultural patrons,” notes media ethicist Dr. Anand Kumar. “There is tremendous opportunity to support filmmakers creating content that upholds human dignity while telling compelling stories.”

Ultimately, as these blockbusters demonstrate, audiences vote with their wallets. The question facing Indian society is whether viewers will begin demanding more from their entertainment.

“We are not calling for sanitized cinema,” clarifies Dr. Sharma. “Complex, flawed characters make for compelling stories. But there is a difference between depicting toxic behavior and framing it as aspirational.”

As “Animal” continues its successful run and the next controversial blockbuster looms on the horizon, the conversation about cinema’s social responsibility continues to evolve. What remains clear is that in a nation where films function as shared cultural texts, what happens on screen rarely stays there.

For institutions with moral authority – including the Church – the moment calls not for silence but for thoughtful engagement with one of the most powerful cultural forces shaping young minds today.