Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has reacted to the debate over whether violent films influence real-life crimes following the chainsaw attack on a Class 10 student at a Zilla Parishad High School in Andhra Pradesh’s Anantapur district. His remarks have since sparked a wider discussion online, with social media users divided over cinema’s influence on young minds and the industry’s responsibility in portraying violence.
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Reacting to the debate on X on November 1, Varma dismissed the idea of blaming films for crimes committed in real life. He wrote, “Blaming films for rise in violence is like blaming Ramayana for rise in kidnappings (sic).”
See his post here:
Social media users divided over RGV’s remark
Varma’s comment didn’t sit well with several social media users, many of whom argued that cinema cannot be completely separated from its influence on society. One user drew a comparison with books, writing, “If books can change your thinking, why not cinema?”
Another disagreed with Varma’s Ramayana reference, pointing out that the epic doesn’t portray kidnapping as an act to be celebrated. The user wrote, “Absolutely wrong. Ramayana has not glorified a kidnapper; in fact, he is shown in a bad light. But your industry has glorified violence and shown those violent characters as good characters. So stop your bullshit and accept the mistakes from your industry.”
A third user accused filmmakers of making brutality look heroic, adding, “Some of the most cruel and gruesome murders are made to look so chill and heroic in movies that even our eight-year-olds are growing up like monsters. It’s time you guys take some shame and responsibility for what you put out there and do your part in curbing this.”
Another comment argued that the discussion wasn’t about holding films directly responsible for crimes, but acknowledging their wider influence. “Nobody is saying films directly cause crime, but pretending cinema has zero influence on society is equally stupid. Cinema shapes perceptions, normalises behaviour and influences what audiences celebrate,” the user wrote.
Read some comments here:
What happened in Anantapur?
The debate followed a shocking attack at Raptadu Zilla Parishad High School in Anantapur district. A 21-year-old man identified as Hemanth entered a classroom and attacked a 15-year-old girl with a chainsaw. As reported by India Today, the student was attacked around 10 am on Saturday. She suffered severe injuries to her face, head and neck, while another student was injured while trying to protect her.
The injured student was initially treated at Anantapur Government General Hospital before being shifted to Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru for advanced medical care.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu condemned the attack, describing it as barbaric and saying he was personally monitoring the girl’s recovery.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
