Letters to the Editor: Popularity of South Indian movies

A few days ago, I went to the cinema hall to watch a newly-released Assamese movie. I saw that there were hardly 10 to 12 viewers in the entire hall. But the complete reverse is seen in case of South Indian films. The South Indian movie 'RRR', which released a few days ago, is seen creating a stir. The flim has earned Rs 223 crore in a single day. The film had already become the highest-earning movie in India. This rising journey of the South seems to have hit the Bollywood film industry. For a few days, no Bollywood film has seen a good income. However, in this regard the film 'The Kashmir Files' can bring hope to the Bollywood film industry. The question arise as to why the popularity of south films has increased day by day compared to other film industries? What improvement are done in South films there that are not found in other films industries?

Usually most of the South Indian films maintain decency and they don't show much sexual scenes. The industry has been offering films that persons of almost all ages can see and can be seen with the entire family. Behind the popularity of a South film lies the endless suffering of each member of the cast. Moreover, a lot of emphasis is placed on original stories in the South films. The growing fan list of South stars also helps a film to a great extent in succeeding. The stars also win the hearts of many fans with their humble and amiable personalities. One of the important aspects of the South film industry is that they are trying to remove old negative aspects day by day. Bollywood is also remaking films from the South. But almost all the films in the South are dubbed in Hindi and circulated in various OTT media platforms, including YouTube. These mediums are enjoyed by millions of viewers. The films have become more popular through these mediums. Gradually, they have started releasing in cinema halls after being dubbed in Hindi and have been very successful, earning crores of rupees by creating a kind of storm at the box office. Similarly, the tilt towards the South film industry has also seen a strong challenge to other industries, including Bollywood. Also, behind the success of South films is the love for language films among the people. This is very much needed in the Assamese film industry as well. The Assamese film industry is still making very good films, but our audience does not seem to be showing proper response. Sometimes an Assamese film is known only after it has won an award. Other film industries should learn from the South and explore new markets for the films of their industry.

Samujjal Boruah,

Cotton University.

Rash driving

For a few months, we noticed some discipline among the drivers of city buses, at least in main roads like the GS Road in Guwahati. However, things have changed recently and things are back to square one. City buses are stopped anywhere as their drivers and their helpers please, leading not only to traffic jams, but creating a lot of risk for the commuters of the buses. The same is the case with the 'metro taxis' in Guwahati, if not worse. These taxis stop in the middle of the road to pick up or drop commuters. Incidentally, the traffic police mostly remain bystanders.

To top it all, drivers of taxi aggregators charge fare beyond what is required to be paid as per the mobile apps. This is, perhaps, unique to Guwahati.

One can only urge the law enforcement agencies to take corrective steps so that law is implemented in true spirit. We watch with awe how well traffic is managed for the VIP vehicles by the same law enforcement agencies.

D Bhutia,

RGB Road, Guwahati.

AFSPA relaxed,

but more needed

It is good news for North-East when the Government announced reduction of the disturbed areas under the contentious AFSPA in Assam, Nagaland and Manipur from April 1, a decision wholeheartedly welcomed by the political leadership of the three States but greeted with cautious optimism by others who wanted the 'Draconian' law to be repealed in its entirety. It is to be noted that reduction in areas under AFSPA is the result of the improved security situation and fast-tracked development and also several agreements signed with militant groups to end insurgency and bring lasting peace to the North-East. The region is witnessing a new era of peace, prosperity and unprecedented development. We are aware that the AFSPA has been in force for decades in the three Northeastern States to assist the armed forces operating there to tackle insurgency as the AFSPA empowers security forces to conduct operations and arrest anyone without a warrant, besides giving immunity from arrest and prosecution to the security forces even if they shoot someone dead.

Manipur's human rights activist Irom Chanu Sharmila waged the most remarkable fight against the law with her hunger-strike that lasted for 16 years, before she gave up her peaceful resistance on August 9, 2016. The disturbed area notification under AFSPA was completely removed from Tripura in 2015 and Meghalaya in 2018, but in Assam the disturbed area notification is in force in the entire State since 1990. Now it has been withdrawn from all areas of Assam, barring nine districts and one sub-division. The disturbed area declaration is in force in entire Manipur (except for Imphal municipality area) since 2004 and due to the present notification, 15 police station areas of six districts of Manipur will be excluded from the disturbed area notification. The reaction of civil society and intellectuals in Nagaland and Manipur varied from being cautiously optimistic to outright anger. In Nagaland, where the disturbed area notification is in force since 1995, the demand is for complete revocation of AFSPA.

A Home Ministry spokesperson said that in comparison to 2014, there was a reduction of 74 per cent in militancy-related incidents in 2021 in the North-East. Similarly, the deaths of security personnel and civilians have also come down by 60 per cent and 84 per cent respectively, during this period.

The Union Home Minister has held talks with all the States of the region on a regular basis. As a result, most of the extremist groups have laid down their arms, and expressed faith in the Constitution and the policies of the Modi Government, the spokesperson said, adding that about 7,000 militants have surrendered in the last four years.

Yash Pal Ralhan,

Jalandhar -144003.

Pitiable road condition

Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I would like to draw the attention of the Public Works Department and the Guwahati Municipal Corporation towards the pitiable condition of all the roads leading to the Kaithalkuchi area. Though the authorities have been claiming that the roads in the area have been relaid and repaired, but the people of the Kaithalkuchi area have not seen any visibile sign of such a work in the last few years.

The Kaithalkuchi-Nalbari PWD road, the Kaithalkuchi-Chamata PWD road and the Kaithalkuchi-Gobaradal-Barama PWD roads need to be repaired as soon as possible because these roads have been giving the commuters nightmares. There are huge pits, large holes in the roads and they are also broken for long stretches, giving an open invitation to both accidents and diseases. Walking and travelling by vehicle on these roads have become dangerous..The authorities should immediately pay attention towards the problem and roads should be repaired at the earliest under strict supervision, so that the condition of the road does not pose any problem any further. It is a matter of great concern which needs urgent attention.

Dharitri Barman,

Cotton University.