Friday, Jul 19, 2013

New Delhi

Delhi University is making learning exciting for students. Bollywood films will now be a part of the curricula.

A total of 11 foundation courses have been introduced in the first two years of the new four-year undergraduate programme. And a paper on Information Technology will thus expose the students to e-governance.

The subject will have 17 films including, A Wednesday, Chak De India, English Vinglish, 3 Idiots, Lagaan, Peepli Live, Rang de Basanti, Swadesh, Taare Zameen Par, Udaan, Rockstar, Wake Up Sid, Khuda Ke Liye and Life of Pi. The last two are the only non-Bollywood films included.

Since films depict life and issues in various forms, these are being introduced in the curriculum with the hope that the students will have an instant connect and learn to deal with life in a rationale manner. The purpose is to enable students to listen, understand, think, empathize, give and receive feedback and have compassion in relationships.

Even though almost all films included in the curriculum have been blockbuster hits and students would have watched them, academicians hope the movies with sensible storylines will inspire youngsters and inculcate in them a sense of responsibility and they will develop a healthy attitude towards life.

On whether the subject would tempt students not to bunk the class, was aptly put by Abhishek Anid Dutta of Khalsa College: “Watching a squirrel eating a nut outside your classroom can sometimes be more interesting than a film!”

Gulf News speaks to students on the lessons they look forward to learning from films, the films that have inspired them and should be added to the curriculum, and why -

UMANG SABARWAL, 21, Kamala Nehru College

Everything I know about romance is from Hindi cinema! Besides, films shape our understanding of relationships, friendships, family and life. And depending on the film, we are exposed to different regions, their culture and ethnic identities. The subject would help students explore different takes upon issues like gender violence (Lajja, My Brother Nikhil) and caste system (Aarakshan). I am looking forward to and can imagine really extensive classroom arguments happening, based on films that might be shown, and how correctly/incorrectly they represent the issues. Though I feel Earth, Fire and Water should be included, left to me I would add Munna Bhai MBBS, Jhankar Beats and Jab we Met - they teach you what not to do!

ABHISHEK ANID DUTTA, 22, Khalsa College

Since films are a form of literature, I expect to learn from them as I would from, say books: inner life of people and the economics that sustains or gives rise to ways of life. The subject will help engage with films critically, as there’s a huge campaign denying the importance of film criticism and certain films are not shown to the masses. It’s a misnomer that films are just a form of entertainment and have no other value in society. But why restrict to Hindi films? Regional award-winning films with subtitles should be given preference, as also films like Guru Dutt’s Pyassa, which is extremely relevant even today in our materialistically inclined society.

AMBIKA MATHUR, 20, Acharya Narendra Dev College

Hindi movies are easy to relate to and while films like 3 Idiots emphasize and teach us about the value of knowledge and not marks, Nayak, a film starring Anil Kapoor, makes us aware of our rights. So, it depends on what kind of films we watch and whether we are ready to learn some lessons from them. After all, cinema is not just entertainment. Films like Arth, which was way ahead of its time and Damini that sensitively dealt with the issue of rape, can certainly help in improving the mindsets of people. Such films drive home the issue of gender sensitization and we should also have more films dealing with issues like women’s empowerment.

OJAS AGARWAL, 19, Sri Ram College of Commerce

Lessons from many films inspire us to move away from the herd mentality and listen to our heart. And films that address social issues give us the courage to overcome difficulties and make a difference to society. Also, films that address social evils prevalent in society, which many tend to overlook and dismiss, can be used to spread awareness among students. Even academicians would agree, that watching a film on a social issue can be more educational any day, rather than flipping pages after pages of books on a similar subject. For instance: Pride and Prejudice is a healthy way of portraying gender discrimination. I am also looking forward to biopics like Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.

ASHIMA MADAN, 21, Kamala Nehru College

Films reflect on society and society reflects back on the films. So, it’s a two-way cycle. I am not sure about the academic bend of introducing this curriculum, but the subject could possibly help in learning the nuances of a film, which most of us ignore. It could kill the belief that films are only for entertainment and perhaps lead cultural learning too. Wish it was not limited to Hindi films and was about Indian films, as that would have enhanced the scope of cultural learning and facilitated acceptance of cultural diversity. They must include films such as Superman of Malegaon and That Girl in Yellow Boots, which are great films, but not usually watched.

PIYUSH KHATTAR, 20, St Stephen’s College

As a big chunk of the Indian population considers cinema to be an integral part of their life, it’s good to introduce films in the curriculum. But while Hindi films have the capability to initiate critical thinking and awareness about a social issue in a subtle manner, a regular class could be boring. So, it will be important to have content that appeals to the students, which could provide entertainment and also be thought provoking. It is easy to engage a student’s mind with a film, but after viewing it, reviews about the subject raised in the film, and how differently it could be tackled, will open a plethora of ideas. I’m excited about the changing scenario.

AAKANKSHA RAWAT, 21, Kamala Nehru College

Most Bollywood films have a message that failure precedes success. The lesson of never giving up is conveniently implied on everything, including chasing their dream girl! I think it would do well if students were to learn from world cinema than Bollywood films. Also, documentaries are a must see. For instance: Our college had a special screening of Aparna Sanyal’s A drop of Sunshine, in which Aparna, the main protagonist of the film, too participated. The film was not only screened for journalism students, but also the psychology department, since its theme revolved around schizophrenia. Am glad that Udaan has been included. Though not an out-an-out gender based film, it carried several social issues, including child abuse.

KAVYA CHOWDHRY, 18, Lady Sri Ram College of Commerce

If implemented properly, the subject on films could generate a lot of interest among students, though the scope of the list of films mentioned baffles me to an extent. There is no harm in including films that fall in the mainstream category like Dil Wale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge and Maine Pyaar Kiya. Also, regional language films are a must. Hindi cinema covers several aspects including social, economic and political concerns, so almost any Anurag Kashyap film, should be treated as academic material. A lot would depend on how the subject is taught, but i would highly recommend Dabangg, so that students know about films that they should ‘not’ watch and emulate in their style of filmmaking!

SHREESH NAIR, 20, Acharya Narendra Dev College

Although films do inspire me, I doubt, I would like to take lessons from Hindi films. But the subject could provide us some freedom to think and react in different situations, rather than having just textbook knowledge. Since films can have a negative impact on some, the aim should be to incorporate ones that can guide us to realize our true potential and capabilities. Udaan had a strong subject, wherein the father forces his son to pursue the career of his choice, which is what often happens in real life. On the other hand, Dil Chahta Hai exemplifies friendship and teaches us about bonding with friends, a matter, which we many times take for granted.

AASHNA BANAIK, 20, Kamala Nehru College

The biggest lesson I have leant from Bollywood films is that it’s okay to break out in a dance and song randomly, when life is going through emotions! And if it is not over the top declaration, then it is not true love! Also, a guy named Rahul has higher chances of being your soul mate! I think the subject will be a nice little breakaway from traditional methods, as too much focus on theoretical studies can end up in a student losing interest in the subject altogether. It will make sense to include films that are classics and capture the essence of Hindi films, like Do Beegha Zameen, Devdas, Pyaasa, Awara and Mother India.

By Nilima Pathak Correspondent

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