A Cinema Story from India
For Popped’s first collaboration, I wanted someone to tell us their cinema story.
This introductory post was all about my cinema story and it felt like an easy way to explain to a stranger a little about who I am. There are details in there that I wouldn’t have shared if I just did the usual, “I’m Gareth, I’m 35, from Aberystwyth” etc.
is a writer based in Mumbai. Her Substack, Critically Concerned, is a mix of movie discussions, political insight and current affairs. She has kindly written this for me to use on my newsletter. I’ll leave you to her story…
Akriti - Mumbai, Maharashtra
Movies have always been an occasion for me.
My family would dress up, make their hair, look pretty to sit in the dark. We were excited about every movie that came out and we would sit in the car discussing what we think the movie will be like. After intently watching, we would then scrutinize the impact of each scene. My family loves talking. We love stories. It was how we bonded.
Bollywood movies are itself a festival. The striking colour palette, the loud songs and the entire production of it is reminiscent of festive functions. Although that is not true for all releases, but even the most sober ones have a lot more exaggeration to it than any Hollywood film that I have watched. India does not have musicals because none of our movies are complete without 2-3 dance numbers and an album’s worth of sound tracks dedicated to love.
If I was not watching a movie then I would be reading a book. My obsession with stories led me to a boarding school. I begged my parents to send me away because Enid Blyton told me it would be fun. Envision a cliché all-girls boarding school in a gorgeous hill station. It was a strict but scenic experience.
Every Sunday, all the girls would get access to the theatre room where we could watch a movie as a dorm. The senior most girls of each dorm would end up dictating our choices. Occasionally, the juniors would get a choice that is if we won house points. How, Hogwarts of us, I know. The competition, thrill and inaccessibility of my fictional realm made me fall head over heels for films.
Soon, I shifted to another school where the Sunday tradition continued but without the competitiveness. The school took the liberty to screen impactful stories and films. The amount of culture and insight these films provided the students could never be imparted through the academic syllabus. Every Sunday, the dining hall would have kids animatedly discussing the film. Pouring over the details with eyes shining with memorization. To no surprise, some of my friends are now pursuing film direction and writing.
For me, films have always been an escape and occasion. Celebrating a small part of my day and running away from another. It is stepping into a different world and seeing everyone else run around while you stand still. Appreciating the peace. It means that for once, my thoughts are not mine. They aren’t ticking for me. They are overthinking for someone else. “Why would the protagonist do that? That situation could be handled better. Oh look, they are in love.”
There is something so calming about a film ending. You know that this story has ended and the characters are going about their life and you have to return to yours until you can run away to another one. Like a book, no film can be watched twice. As my view on the world evolves, so will be interpretation of a film. It keeps things hopeful. Maybe the moments that hurt in my life will not hurt later. Maybe the days I was confused start making a lot more sense. Films are about life and boy, do I love that they are a big part of mine.
Takeaways
“It means that for once, my thoughts are not mine”.
This hits the nail on the head for me. A couple of hours where I can watch someone else get it wrong.
Musicals seem to have become more popular in the last five years in western cinema. I put that down to the escapism we all need because of Brexit, Trump the news. We could do with cinema being more of an occasion here once more.
Thank you Akriti. Do go and take a look at her newsletter!
What is your cinema story?
Let me know in the comments or by replying to this email. I would genuinely love to hear what the cinema meant to you growing up and any distinct memories you have. Who knows, you may end up as a future post if you wanted to!
See you next week (I am travelling though..so if there’s a snag, it may be the week after. Let’s see…)
Gareth