RESISTANCE TO CHANGE: THE BIGGEST BARRIER TO YOUR GROWTH

Biggest Barrier to your Growth: Resistance to Change 

Resistance to change is the biggest barrier for the growth. One more industry is facing the self content issue like that of Eastman Kodak and Nokia, that denies to accept the changes i.e. "BOLLYWOOD"

So, let's discuss where the actual problem lies. For this, let's dig into the history of this industry.

When cinema (bioscope) came to India and during 70-80s when television became a household item, people used to watch whatever used to be served, as not much entertainment options were available. And in this process Actors became or rather the media coined the terms like "Celebrity", "Stars" or "Superstar". And Bollywood had an industrial monopoly.

But, now in the 2020s, in an era of Social media, YouTube, Tiktok and OTT platforms, people are more informed and educated, they understand everything right from Advertising to PR. For them Acting is like any other profession or career they aspire for and actors are just like any other professional.

Besides that, industry is facing tough competition from other industries not only from Hollywood, as earlier, but domestically from Tollywood, and globally from Hogawood, Halyuwood Cantonwood Otherwise BTS wouldn't be a household name and movies like Kantara, with budget of 16cr couldn't earn 400 cr.

Now, the problem arises when a few dominant people of the industry, who consider themselves as the industry, are not ready to accept the changes. They are still looking for the monopoly and want to be treated like a "Super Natural person".

They are blaming Boycott culture as the reason for their flop movies and are not ready to open up their eyes like an Ostrich. 

Boycott culture is nothing new, right from the "Water", "Earth" to "OMG", and "PK" faced backlash Even Border, that Suniel Shetty talked about during interaction with CM Yogi, had a theory of conspiracy during Uphaar tragedy.

So, boycott trend can not be the reason.

Second reason that is being projected here is, movies are facing backlash because the actor follows a particular religion, then why the hell people wait for movies from Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Mammootty or used to wait for Irrfan movies?

Another reason that usually being given is, people hate KJo. Then how the "Kesari" or "Bahubali" became the biggest grosser, whether these will get flopped, if release today?

Another one, people are inclined towards movies from Right wing people and are ignoring the movies from people who have been projected as Anti-India on social media. Then why Samrat Prithviraj (movie on a Hindu King), and RamSetu (with name of Ram), with actor like Akshay Kumar (who is considered as Right wing proponent) flopped, and movies like Housefull 4 (from Sajid Khan) and webseries like Mirzapur (with Anurag Kashyap camp actors and Fahan Akhtar as producer) becomes a superhit. Whether these won't become a hit, if release today.

Another reason that is given is "Image of the actor". Only those actors' movies are facing backlash who are doing advertisement not suitable for their image, like "Bolo Zubaan Kesari". To a certain extent, it's true that if an actor like Akshay Kumar or Ajay Devgan who have acted in movies and ads on social causes like Padman, Gangaajal, or Say No To Tobacco  faces backlash if they act in such ads, while if actor like Nawazuddin, does the same wouldn't face the backlash. But, this again, cannot convert a movie into a  flop. Had it been so, then Drishyam 2, RRR with Ajay Devgan would have been a biggest disaster (which is other way round).

Before 2003, when "Armaan" movie or Ayushman serial (though in 2004) got flopped, it was said that movies on doctors' lives always fail, as it's a serious profession and there is nothing much to say about their lives. But, then came Munnabhai MBBS. And now there are movies like Vicky Donor, Gabbar is Back, Dhruva to showcase healthcare business. From funny to serious, all superhit. 

Similarly, making a historical drama is always a difficult task where there is a very little scope for creative freedom. And people don't want to spend their time and money on serious history classes. That's why personally, I could never bear Chanakya serial on DD national but watched Chandragupta Maurya (with good music) on NDTV prime. 

Every product that one markets, is composed of some characteristics. Similarly, product like a Movie is a package of Content, Presentation, Expressions, Dialogues and a great piece of music (if added). Why Bollywood (rather few Bollywood dominating people) are not able to come up with stories like that of Jai Bheem, Udaan, why they are not able to present a movie like RRR (despite not a big story), why music of RRR gets nominated for original score in Oscars (that once upon a time was core competency of Hindi music industry, remember "Lagaan" "Slumdog Millionaire")? Why do they need to make remakes of Cutputtli, Jersey, Vikram Vedha, Udaan, Drishyam, Singham, Baaghi series and so on? 

If people hate Bollywood then why the webseries like Panchayat, Grahan with small cast and theatre actors becomes a big hit (don't forget Faisal Malik from Anurag Kashyap camp and from a particular community, who received accolades from the people), while movies with some big names don't get customers even on OTT platforms, which is freely available to the people with a nominal subscription fee.

So problem lies in the accepting the change. Amitabh Bachchan is still the Amitabh Bachchan and people only want to watch him hosting KBC, even after 22 years, because he accepted and adapted himself according to the changes. While his contemporary are out of the business. So, next time when you face downfall, think carefully, if the reason is your stagnancy and resistance to accept the change.

498a IPC and DV act 2005: Laws to empower women or to destruct institution of marriage

“An unjust law is itself a species of violence. Arrest for its breach is more so.” Mahatma Gandhi

498a IPC and DV act 2005, (commonly known as Dowry prohibition act and Domestic Violence prevention act); laws that were actually meant to protect women against any kind of domestic violence or dowry, are increasingly being misused by women for various reasons. Survey report by Rakshak foundation has shown that fake cases are filed with intention of legal extortion (to get richer easily), followed by prior relationship, adultery, domination, and fraudulent marriages.

The WHO has explicitly mentioned that 498A is one of biggest reasons for elder abuse in India.

Today, institution of marriage, which is considered as most sacred relationship in Indian society, is at risk. Earlier, whenever there would be any marital conflict, elders of the families used to counsel the both, husband and wife. But today, whenever any marital dispute happens between husband and wife, such wife with some special intentions, threatens to sue or actually sues husband and his relatives (even if relative are residing somewhere else) under these, so called, women protection laws. Moreover, elders from the bride family usually, also support their daughters in filing false cases so as to extort as much money as possible from the bridegroom’s family.

Today, whenever any honest and innocent married man comes across the term 498a IPC, a sense of fear, frustration and depression goes in his mind. I have come across some cases where female filed fake case, did out of court settlement, got money and married again and husbands for the sake of reputation did out of court settlement. A number of fake cases, I can quote here.

Supreme Court of India once said, “But by misuse of the provision (IPC 498a - Dowry and Cruelty Law) a new legal terrorism can be unleashed. The provision is intended to be used a shield and not an assassin’s weapon”.

“Miya-Biwi Nauk Jhonk” which is shown as a part of married life in various comedy shows (e.g. ‘Comedy Nights with Kapil’) and movies is also covered under definitions of DV act 2005. So, in legal terms, these kinds of shows and movies are also promoting domestic violence in the society in a sense.

Once a case is filed, whole family is sent to jail without proper investigation. A family, which has never been out of their honest world, suddenly finds themselves at a place where their social status, reputation formed with honesty, hard work and struggle of many years, comes to an end. Parents, usually in their 60s, see their last days in jail. Husbands lose their jobs, positions and dignity that they have earned with their hard work due to such false cases. They have to live their whole life with this stigma and in depression.

If, case is proven wrong, which happens in most of the cases, husband is not entitled to file any defamation case against his wife and her family. Even if, with the help of God’s grace and past good deeds of his, he is able to file a case of divorce on the ground of fake 498a case, it is the man again, who will have to suffer in the name of compensation to his wife. And in case of settlement, most of the time settlement takes place on the term of separation of husband from his family. So, again, a family that was united for 3 to 4 decades breaks within few days. And reason?, parents married their son.

Now question arises, why these cases are increasing? Reasons and intentions may be many but one of the most important reasons is Indian political system. There is no political will to amend these acts as every political party today is running after, so called, 49% votes of women. TV ads are openly promoting this 49% agenda. On one hand we talk about women empowerment, while on the other hand, in the name of empowerment, we are promoting a culture of hatred, negativity and disbelief in the society.

Now, I was wondering, what’s the difference amongst cases of extortion, and such false cases? In terms of money, value that they get may be same but as far as extortion is concerned it is considered as illegal in front of law but false cases under women protection acts are supported by the law so as to extort money from the family. 

We continuously come across false allegations of sexual assaults through various media reports; where investigators are able to physically verify the false allegations. But, in fake cases under DV act and 498a IPC, there is nothing much available to verify.

Suggestions: I, personally, believe that there should be provision of penalty for false cases under DV act 2005 and 498a IPC. Husband and his relatives should not be arrested mere on the basis of false allegations. Justice Malimath committee recommended that IPC 498a be made bailable and compoundable. There must be provision for filing defamation suit and compensation to husband and his relatives. Man, who loses his job due to fake case, should get his position with dignity back.

Thank God! I am not married and have no intention of getting married in India.