Narcotics is a dirty business,but it is not a new generation phenomenon
Malayalam cinema has never shied away from themes dealing with drug or
alcohol abuse in one form or another. At a time when all hell has
broken loose following the arrest of a prominent young actor in a
cocaine case,it has become a hotly debated topic once again. A host of
veteran filmmakers have come down heavily on the so called new
generation filmmakers and actors for promoting or justifying drug use
in their movies.Though there is a tendency for blanket generalization
and painting of all the new and emerging talent with the same brush ,it
cant be denied that there is a spurt in movies that glorify drug or
alcohol use.
It is not as if this is a new phenomenon in Malayalam cinema.We have
memories of many black and white cinemas which dealt with drug abuse
that was prevalent during those times.There was no problem whatsoever
in characters showing propensity towards drug abuse.In that classic
K.G.George movie 'Irakal' we see the protagonist character played by
Ganesh Kumar being under the influence of drugs which accentuate his
criminal behavior.
In Hariharan-M.T team's 'Amrutham Gamaya' we see the character of
Mohanlal using intravenous drugs to get over the bitter memories and
pangs of his abominable past.It was a sheer delight to watch and no
viewer would have felt any affinity for drugs seeing the movie
'Irupatham Noottandu' the cult classic which saw Mohanlal at his
absolute best,there is a dialogue that he utters,'Narcotics is a dirty
business'. Eventhough his character Sagar alias Jacky is a smuggler
and criminal he turns his back on narcotic business which results in
the protagonist-antagonist conflict in the movie.Even Padmarajan's
'Season' showed the ill effects of drug use especially related to
tourism.
Later we saw the Jayaraj directed movie 'Johnny Walker' which presented
Mammootty in an absolutely stylish avatar. The basic premise of the
movie itself is based on drug abuse. The stylish villain Swamy a drug
addict was a rage among the youth of that era. If we go into details we
can see that many movies have dealt with themes that have drug as a
prominent factor. New generation and drugs.
The debate changed and there was a visible tilt towards conscious or
unconscious justification of drug or alcohol use in many movies.We see
heroes roaming around with alcohol bottles and gulping down gallons of
liquor,as though it is easier to drink it than pure water.
The debut vehicle of Dulquer Salmaan 'Second Show' itself dealt with ill
effects of drug usage and peddling. Then we saw movies like 'Honey Bee'
in which characters go on a drinking binge and though drug use is not
directly shown implications are obvious. Films like 'Idukki Gold, 'Kili
poyi' etc. are classic examples of films which overtly or inadvertently
glorified drug use.
The fault is not in showing characters using drugs or alcohol, but it
lies in the indirect promotion of drug use through scenes which give the
susceptible youngsters an impression that using drugs is not a big
deal after all. Some films even give the impression that drug use sparks
off creativity and the widespread acceptability of movies of that sort
show that things have gotten out of hand of late.
If the charges of widespread drug use among new generation filmmakers is
true, it has to be looked into. And there is absolutely no reason to
believe that affinity for drugs is a new found phenomenon as is being
made out in certain quarters. Rotten eggs have always been there and to
say that current generation of filmmakers is the cause of all that is
bad is a case of missing the wood for the trees.
Films dont exist in a vaccum and they are a reflection of the society we
live in. If films with overt scenes of drug abuse are being welcomed
with both hands, it shows that the malaise has crept into the vitals of
our society. The holier than thou attitude of some veteran filmmakers
and actors in this matter is just an eyewash. Ultimately narcotics is a
dirty business, and concerted efforts have to be made to root them out
of our society, not just films.
