G : God in Hindi Films / Bollywood #AtoZChallenge 2019

God is everywhere in India! Not only in hearts and temples, but also in its marriages, deaths, rituals, opening ceremonies and of course in Hindi films. God is not only in our prayers and blessings, but also in our fights, arguments, riots, politics and of course in names of several production houses in Bollywood. (Balaji Telefilms, Shree Ashtvinayak Films etc.) God is known by different names, comes in varied forms, shapes & sizes and of course lends itself to Hindi films in myriad ways.

There are some definite films like PK and Oh My God! that talk about commercialization of religion and the tool it has become in hands of few people. Both take different routes though in its resolution. 

Then there are several films that are mythological stories about Hindu Gods, largely drawn from epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata. Jai Santoshi Maa released in 1975 was a great commercial hit. Interestingly these epics and films, humanizes Gods, that greatly enhances accessibility of Hinduism as a religion. 

Then there are Hindi films that present God as this supremely unifying secular force. Though God may not be playing a key role in such films. In Amar Akbar Anthony, a commercial potboiler, three brothers separated in childhood, are raised by people from different religions. Clearly God's role here was to further the money making ability of the movie by pandering to people from different faiths. As more than religion, the brothers' vocations played an important role in furthering the story. Interestingly it played on stereotypes of these religions without offending its viewers as world was simpler then. Like Christian Anthony was an alcohol guzzling, local flirtatious lout while Muslim Akbar was a tailor and a part-time qawaali singer. 

There are several films where God is not present, but film-makers present mothers and doctors as Gods. A dying hero will wake up with the touch of his mother. Or a mother will kill several bad guys in an action film and imagery given to her would be of Goddess Kali. This would lend legitimacy to her actions and almost deify her. Then doctors are also messengers of Gods, as they don't treat patients but perform miracles, as suggested by Hindi films. Though off-late Hindi films have made new villains out of the doctors. Watch Gabbar is Back or I to know what I mean. Either a cliche should die a hero or live long enough to become a villain. (Quote rehashed from The Dark Knight).

An evergreen cliche which I must mention and the one which is often used as a device to further the story in Hindi Films, is that 'God is a Deal'. God has to perform miracles and prove itself over and over again. When a doctor gives up in Hindi Films, he comes out of Operation Theater and uses an oft repeated phrase. "Inhe dawa nahi dua ki zaroorat hai! " (He doesn't need medicine. He needs prayers)

An iconic scene from film Deewar, is the best representation of this cliche. A mega hero, Amitabh Bachchan, who is shown as an atheist throughout the film, goes to a temple to challenge the God  (prays in gangsta style). He challenges The God to prove himself and save his dying mother. Watch the scene with subtitles below. 

Disclosure: I write this post from a hospital today. I had a surgery done in the morning and have written this post under the influence of medication and in a really uncomfortable seating position. The word "Challenge" in this challenge lives up-to its name today. Mujhe Dawa aur Dua dono ki zaroorat hai! (I need both medicine and prayers).

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My theme for this year's #AtoZchallenge is Hindi Film Industry / Bollywood cliches. You can read the theme reveal post here.

2017 Challenge Post from Letter G: Grandfather - A tribute post. Heartfelt! And insightful about an era gone by. Click here to read. 

2018 Challenge Post from Letter G: Glow-in-the-Dark - A fun post about an under utilized innovation. Click here to read.