Do you ever feel like the voices suppressed in time are the ones that need to be heard? Or
issues and incidents that not many people know should be known in the interest of public
awareness? Does the notion of spreading awareness and knowledge amongst global
communities through cinema and art sound like a paramount concern? And predominantly, do
you see cinema as a catalyst in bringing about a positive change in people?
If yes, then you are about to explore the interjection between expression through cinema and
social change, the key to bridging the gap of social responsibility with accountability in the world
of art and creative expression.
Movies and cinema have always been the window to be a part of something larger than life.
From acting in theatre to laying the foundation of Impact Advising, the winds up the hill still
whisper in hushed tones that there is more to explore.
It seems like only yesterday when Bollywood was given the concept of Impact Advising via film,
Jhalki, directed by S. Brahmanand, which released just around the same time on children’s day
three years ago. But the journey is quite a tell-tale. Before walking down the memory lane, let us
unveil the concept itself. Impact Advising is given as a credit title in Indian Cinema, primarily
Hindi (Bollywood) films wherein the role is primarily defined to amplify the story to bring about a
social change.
Currently, there are a lot of commercial, independent, and documentary films made under
Cinema for Social Change. These films bring history to life or address some of the pressing
political and social issues standing tall in front of us all today, representing a range of critical
topics.
These movies have the power embedded in them to affect society in both positive or negative
ways. Simply put, they can help the economy grow, inspire individuals, majorly the young
generations, women/men, and expand basic knowledge of the world around us. On the flip side,
they can also lead to violence, addictions etc, sending a bad message to the public, especially
the younger generation. The role of an Impact Advisor is paramount to foresee the larger
reflection and impact of the cause-based films.
The purpose of appointing an impact advisor to a film is to educate the global audience, raise
awareness of the issue the movie is attempting to highlight, bring the movie to the attention of
high-level global stakeholders, inspire change, and create ambassadors for the movie while
establishing creative partnerships and collaborations to boost the ROI and open new and/or
expand the film’s existing markets.
In modern times, our society where positive cultural roots are fading and ancient caging norms
are encouraged, moving fast and aimlessly for success is a common goal, connectivity is
becoming sparse and hallow with all the flashy and unrealistic scrolls on social, fading richness
and respect in language, hatred, and a sense of enmity through unnecessary competition
spreading like a wildfire, we are in dire need of social awareness, a sense of unity and a human
touch of care and respect.
That is exactly where Impact Advising fits in by filling the void of social responsibility created by
mankind. Speaking of social responsibility via cinema, having an Impact Advisor on board can
lead the business, film, and drive the cause at the high levels of global society and markets.
Such as UNICEF, the UN, global change makers, ambassadors, in fact the films through its
impact across various communities nationally and internationally can be taken forward to Oscar
too. The scope from there on is only as wide as the endless skies.
Films like Jhalki, directed by Brahmanand S Singh, starring, Boman Irani, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Divya Dutta, Sanjay Suri, Akhilendra Mishra, Joy Sengupta and a special appearance by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Kailash Satyarathi, GulMakai, directed by H.E. Amjad Khan and presented by Dr Jayantilal Gada, starring, Reem Shaikh, Atul Kulkarni, Divya Dutta, Om Puri, Arif Zakaria, Mukesh Rishi, Abhimanyu Singh.
My Home India (Documentary) listed and reviewed for Oscars 2020, directed by Anjali Bhushan,
The Illegal listed and reviewed for Oscars 2021, directed by Danish Renzu, The Kashmir Files directed by Vivek Agnihotri, starring Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Darshan Kumar, Pallavi Joshi, Chinmay Mandlekar, Bhasha Sumbli, are classic testaments of the potential of success and reach the Impact Advisor can expose the cause-based films to.
The world is changing at Godspeed! Creative expression with responsibility is what will change
society for the better!!