In India, cinema is perhaps the only source of entertainment that even the underprivileged section of the society can derive. As a result, the impact of cinema is tremendous. No doubt, cinema is truly the solo amusement that relaxes us and unwinds stress and mental trauma. Yet some filmmakers have used cinema as a powerful vehicle to bring a change in society and interestingly some Bollywood movies have led to a bigger social impact. A bigger role in this social change has been brought by films inspired by true stories. Indian Film Industry (IFH) focuses on such inspirational true stories that have been instrumental in making a change in society.
Pioneering Cinema: How ‘Do Aankhen Barah Haath’ Sparked Social Change
To begin let’s start with the First Indian Film that proved a milestone in bringing a major social change. The film Do Aankhen Barah Haath (1957) was directed and produced by Cinema film wizard V. Shantaram. The film depicted the policy of humanistic psychology in treating the jail convicts. Inspired from the concept of an ‘Open Prison’ which in reality located at Swatantrapur princely state of Aundh near Satara in Maharashtra. V. Shantaram wrote a soulful tale of 6 hardcore jail inmates, whom in changes into a good human being.
The film compelled society to rethink how to treat convicts and prisoners. The film urged the society that convicts should not be punished but must be reformed through love and compassion. The song from the film Aye Maalik Tere Bande Hum, sung by Lata Mangeshkar became so popular that it became a prayer in many schools of India.
The idea of open prison may be hard to believe but has been applauded by several reformists and even the jails authorized have pondered on the idea. In fact, daring police cop Kiran Bedi even tried to emulate Open Prison. She said, “The spirit of the movie Do Aankhen Barah Haath is laudable. Turning convicts into sensitive humans, the jailor sets an example. But the idea is still the road less travelled. Hence it is a path to walk so that one day it becomes a highway.”
A True Story, A Lasting Impact: The Power of ‘Do Aankhen Barah Haath
Interestingly, the Central Jail in New Delhi, popularly known as Tihar Jail has also adopted the idea. In 2013, a semi-open prison was started which became functional in 2016. Ajay Kashyap, Director General (prisons), Tihar Jail, in a press statement said, “Prisons are built to reform humans instead of just punishing them. We follow the principle of ‘reform, rehabilitate and reintegrate’ here. The measures are to make sure that the transition of convicts, from prisoners to citizens of society, is smooth.”
The film Do Aankhen Barah Haath was applauded not only in India but it won international fame. It won Silver Bear Medal at the 8th Berlin International Film Festival and a Golden Globe Award in the new category Samuel Goldwyn International Film Award for the best film produced outside of the United States. The Film also won National Award for best film. The film was even a box –office hit and it celebrated Golden Jubilee (50 weeks consecutive run in a single theatre)
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