Cinema should transform society: Mukherjee

Voicing concern over recent communal riots and crime against women and children, President Pranab Mukherjee today exhorted the entertainment industry to focus attention on creating cinema that contributes to social transformation and portrays positive values.
Cinema, a popular and powerful medium of communication, should strike a balance between entertainment and social responsibility, he said at the valedictory of the Centenary of Indian Cinema organised here by the Tamil Nadu Government and South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce (SIFCC).
Referring to the recent incidents of crime against women and communal violences in some parts of the country, Mukerjee said cinema can and must play a role in resetting the moral compass of the nation.

"The recent incidents of crime against women and children have shaken the conscience of the nation. We have also been witness to tragic communal riots in some parts of our country. We must find ways to reverse the erosion of our values," the President said.
He said it was the responsibility of everyone associated with the film industry to use the powerful medium of cinema to "portray our positive societal values" for building a tolerant and harmonious India.
The President urged the entertainment community to be mindful and sensitive to this responsibility and take all steps to create "cinema that contributes to social transformation and moral upliftment".

Mukherjee, while referring to the contribution of two premier institutions--the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune and Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Kolkata--in imparting education in the field of film and television, said the time has come to take necessary steps to strengthen them and make them institutions of "national importance".