Fame vs Success

Like any typical Indian, I am a movie buff. I enjoy watching movies for fun, for time pass, for message, to feel empowered, to live the fantasy - whatever a movie can make an audience feel. I am one of those audiences.

In the recent two to three years, there have been loads of movies on kids, gen Z, how best to bring them up, their emotions, their friendship, parents approach towards them and many concepts around it. I have watched almost all of those movies. Though these are all made with good intentions and to help elevate ourselves, few things did make me uncomfortable.

Almost all of such movies are completely or partially in advisory mode. One character advising to the other or the lead character faces the camera and advises the audience. Why? I love listening to suggestions but not ONLY that. The 'so called' bad character has his/her justification too (may be right or wrong) and should be given an opportunity to express. That makes it a dialogue, a story telling. After all, human behaviour is shaped by his past experiences and his perception towards life. I think that should be brought onto screen.
These movies show their cast as either black or white. It idolises the ‘good character’ as though he/she is the perfect person and the other as the worst. But that’s not reality. Every common man is grey. We are both good and evil. Our behaviour leans to whiter side or darker side based on the situation, our experiences, our environment, our emotional stability. I am not saying movie should be perfect in characterisation. But it should also not give false perspectives.
And then, they show successful accomplishments at the end to support the advices given in two hours. The lead or the lead's kid wins a medal or makes a record or gets first prize and somehow becomes famous in any field. This makes me extremely upset. Ninety percent of the movies gives this message that being successful means being famous. No. A big NO to this! Hardly five percent of the population is in the limelight, in fame. What is the message for the rest 95% - who are below, on or above average yet happy and successful in making both ends meet, don't they exist? We should show the kids that it is perfectly ok to be in the 95%, boost their confidence.

I like to quote Thirukkural here,  

ஈன்ற பொழுதின் பெரிதுவக்கும் தன்மகனைச்

சான்றோன் எனக்கேட்ட தாய்

It translates as, When a mother hears him named fulfilled of wisdom’s lore, she feels greater joy than that when she bore him.

This is what should resonate in the society. Every child should work towards making their parents proud – not by becoming famous but by growing up to be a wise man, a compassionate man. Being appreciated and remembered for his good deeds.

I am not against or jealous of famous people. In fact, I am ‘in awe’ of them. Like many of the famous legends say, ‘I worked hard, I gave my hundred percent and success followed’. Becoming successful is the outcome. Each child should rejoice the journey and the activity in itself rather than focussing on the success that will follow. That's the message I want to see on movies. It is ok to be moderately successful and happy.

“Enjoying the little pleasures of life, valuing relationships, being good to other beings, being happy wherever we are with whatever we have – that is success! Success is experiencing.”

Let’s not make gen Z believe that they need to live successfully. We need to teach them to live happily.

All said, I must also applaud the efforts made by these movies to engrave certain strong messages like, don’t force your decisions on the child, teach the child through practical experience, set an example for the child to follow, don’t compare every child is unique and special.

We need many more such scripts that will help mankind to learn, grow and prosper.