AN ANALYTIC DWELL INTO THE MOVIE KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI: A CULTURAL PORTRAYAL

Psychology

Media, especially films, are highly influential for the audiences in shaping their thoughts, ideas, morals and beliefs- be it with regard to society, norms, relationships and ways of life. Media also exposes society to new cultures, social practices and individuals, which may become an influencing factor in the collective attitude formation about groups and their practices. The film-makers caters to the society in a given timezone through the elements they show in their movies. Thus, a critical analysis of movies can reflect in detail about the elements that existed in a society at a particular point of time in history. The paper, thus, attempts to analyse Bollywood’s highly grossing film, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. The movie was chosen for the precise reason that it is still considered as one of Bollywood’s all-time favourite romantic movie, and is listed as one of the 50 films that changed Bollywood movie. It is still celebrated by the masses, as it recently celebrated its 20th year anniversary. The pattern of the movie still persists in newer movies too. The analysis of the movie revealed stereotypical representation of minority communities, a contradicting representation of Indian and Western cultures and societal norms for men and women that were prevalent in the society. The analysis gave us insight into understanding the archetypal root of the characters in the movie, the shadow elements that are at play, the projections, and the content of the cultural (collective) unconscious that discerned the cultural portrayal that happens in movies often. Overall, the analysis gave us purview the social practices that are prevalent in our culture and society at large.

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