EBolly

Child abuse: Bollywood’s denial of India’s worst kept secret

Most of us will shy away from even discussing it among friends and some may well find it disgusting to have it dealt on the big screen near us. But the harsh realities are mostly the worst kept secrets of a conservative country like ours. Child abuse especially sexual abuse is one of the most hard-hitting crimes against children in India. And Bollywood like many of the social and governmental organisations pays no heed to this issue.

Bollywood has dished out films in all genres and has dealt with many such issues like dowry, rape etc but a very few have tried to make an effort in bringing the issue of child abuse on screen. Child abuse as the central theme is still considered taboo among many film-makers. Apart from Madhur Bhandarkar’s portrayal of paedophilia among business tycoons in ‘Page 3′ and scraps of child abuse portrayed in ‘Corporate’ and ‘Traffic Signal’ and the brief reference in Mira Nair’s ‘Monsoon Wedding’, the issue has almost been treated as an outcast in Bollywood.

As per the studies, child abuse is on the rise in our society yet we are living in denial to accept the reality. Children are not only unsafe outside their home but also among their relatives. Child abuse is considered a sensitive subject for many of the NGO’s as well as filmmakers as the subject draws in more raised eyebrows than a concerned feedback. But on a whole, the issue is related to children and therefore needs to be dealt with care as well brought under public scrutiny.

In recent times some film-makers have made a brave move in bringing these issues to notice via the use of mass media. The most recent example is ‘Undertrial’ based on the true story of an alcoholic and mentally-ill father who used to rape his three daughters. The character was well essayed by the talented Rajpal Yadav. Though the film didn’t find many takers at the box office, it managed to catch the attention of the general public.

Earlier, some brave attempts were also made by noted film-makers. Director Mehul Kumar of ‘Tiranga’ fame, made a film titled ‘Jaago’ based on the true story of a 9-yr old girl raped in a Mumbai local train in the ’90s. And to second that was another film starring Sanjay Dutt, titled ‘Pitaah’ where he played a distraught father of a 9-yr old girl who was raped by zamindar’s sons. These are among the few films which boldly brought the issue of child abuse to the masses though a greater effort is still required.

With child abuse on a startlingly ascending curve, film-makers need to pay more attention to this issue as well. Rather than considering it as a taboo for open discussion, it should be taken up as a challenge. An issue of this form is sure to make an impact on the young minds of the children who remain in constant fear in their own houses. Victims of child abuse may well get the initiation of raising a voice against it. Such films can also be instrumental in waking up the government organisations and stern laws and help lines should be implemented. Films which not only portray an incident but also show the struggle of a child and the way he can find a way out of his/her trauma is also welcome in today’s alarming scenario.

The society needs to consider sex education and child safety as two inseparable aspects of child’s development and Bollywood can play a vital role in enabling to provide voice to the many unheard victims of child abuse in India.

Tanushree Chatterjee

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