Is cinema losing its moral compass?

With increasing violence, crude humor and explicit content in mainstream cinema, concerns arise over its impact on audience, especially younger viewers. Is entertainment crossing the line into harmful influence?

Hyderabad: In recent years, mainstream cinema has seen a noticeable shift toward excessive violence, crude humor and explicit content. Films that were once meant for family viewing now often include scenes that make audience uncomfortable, even in movies rated U/A or sometimes even U.

“I feel uneasy watching films in theaters with my parents and grandparents. Even with a U/A certification, it’s impossible to predict when an inappropriate scene might appear,” says Ridhima Vengala.

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A concerning trend is the normalisation of foul language, even among children in films, often passed off as humor. This raises a crucial question—if we laugh when kids use abusive words on screen, would we react the same way if our own children spoke that way?

Some filmmakers argue that movies should be watched as fiction, without being linked to real life. However, can audience—especially younger generations—truly separate on-screen portrayals from reality?

Several studies show that visual and auditory elements deeply influence viewers. Research by Gupta and Lord on product placements found that audiovisual content is most effective in recall, reinforcing the power of cinema in shaping perceptions.

The recent wave of films, from Arjun Reddy and Animal to Sankranthiki Vastunnam and Laila, has sparked debates on the messages they convey. While violent gangster films like KGF and Marco are often seen as fictional due to their unrealistic action sequences, movies like Arjun Reddy and Animal present problematic narratives closer to reality. Arjun Reddy, for instance, played a significant role in glorifying alcoholism and toxic masculinity. Though the protagonist undergoes redemption, audience tends to absorb the negative aspects more than the resolution.

“My brother idolised Arjun Reddy, leading him into alcoholism and drug abuse. He escalated out of control and despite multiple rehab attempts, we lost the happy family we once had,” shares a distressed sister who wishes to remain anonymous.

Similarly, the misogynistic themes in Animal and its normalisation of extramarital affairs raise ethical concerns. Meanwhile, Sankranthiki Vastunnam was filled with double-meaning dialogues and Laila relied on suggestive content rather than storytelling.

Kamakshi Bharadwaj, a student, states, “Cinema plays a role in shaping societal attitudes and when filmmakers use sexist jokes and vulgarity as selling points, they contribute to the problem.”

The argument that bold content is necessary to attract audience is weak. Films like RRR achieved massive success without resorting to explicit material, while family-friendly movies such as Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu proved that feel-good storytelling can still draw crowd.

Smaller films like C/o Kancherapalem, Cinema Bandi, Happy Days, George Reddy and Laapataa Ladies are remembered for their simple yet relatable narratives, showing that cinema can thrive without sensationalism.

Underrated gems like Helen, Kappela, C U Soon and Hide and Seek depicted real-life struggles with sincerity but didn’t receive the recognition they deserved. The preference for star-driven or hyper-marketed films over meaningful storytelling further highlights the industry’s shifting priorities.

While the censor board regulates theatrical releases, the rise of OTT platforms has made it nearly impossible to restrict explicit content from reaching younger audience. Social media further amplifies this reach, making censorship ineffective. Filmmakers need to be more responsible, understanding where to draw the line between artistic freedom and ethical storytelling.

Cinema holds immense power in shaping society. While it is important to explore diverse narratives, future generations of filmmakers must recognise the responsibility they carry. It is time to rethink the content we consume and create—before the boundaries between entertainment and harmful influence disappear completely.