Let me start with a small incident that recently got me thinking.
A Haircut and a Realisation
I had gone to a local salon for a haircut. The place was empty, so I quickly grabbed one of the barber chairs. A barber came up and asked me what kind of haircut I wanted. I simply said, "Give me a neat military cut." That's what I was used to — nothing fancy, just clean and simple.
While I was getting my hair done, two kids, probably around 10 years old, walked in. One of them sat in the chair next to me while the other waited for his turn. The second barber, who had been reading a newspaper, put it down and asked the boy what kind of haircut he wanted.
The kid paused for a moment and confidently said, "I'd like a Hebbuli cut." The barber reconfirmed, "So, Hebbuli cut?" The kid looked a little unsure. He turned to his friend and asked, "Should I get a Hebbuli cut or a Googly cut?"
His friend replied, "I think Googly looks better on you."
And just like that, he opted for a Googly cut.
I couldn't believe I was hearing this from 10-year-old rural kids! When I was that age, I only knew one kind of haircut. I didn't even know the name — I just told the barber to leave me with short hair, and that was it.
Cinemas and Changing Trends
This small incident may seem trivial, but it speaks volumes about how cinema can trigger fashion and cultural trends, even in rural areas. Movies, cricket, and social media are three things that can have a massive influence on Indian society.
With the rise of technology and widespread internet access, even the most remote areas are updated with the latest trends. However, this comes with both positive and negative consequences, especially with the unfiltered impact of social media. That's one reason why many people choose to stay away from it altogether.
Should Films Be Held Socially Accountable?
The Indian film industry has an unmatched ability to shape public opinion and popular culture. This leads to an important question:
Should we expect filmmakers to be socially responsible? Should we ban films that promote misogyny, toxic behaviour, or glorify violence?
Many would say no — movies are for entertainment, not social instruction. That's a fair argument. But the truth is, whether we realise it or not, we are influenced by what we see on screen.
That's why the film industry seems to be divided into two kinds of creators:
The Responsible Ones — These filmmakers take it upon themselves to create socially aware, meaningful cinema. Unfortunately, they are few and far between.
The Business-Minded — These creators focus on what sells. They aren't too concerned about how society perceives their content. And to be honest, we can't really blame them. It is a business, after all.
Final Thoughts
That little moment in a salon made me realise how much pop culture can seep into our everyday lives — even in something as routine as a haircut. It reminded me that while cinema is entertainment, it's also a mirror — and sometimes a magnifier — of what our society values, desires, and aspires to.
Have you ever noticed how movies have changed the way we talk, dress, or even think?