Representation of social issues in cinema with specific reference to Indian cinema: case study of <I>Slumdog Millionaire</I>

Abstract

Cinema allows the film industry to address various social issues using a written storyline and screenplay. As a medium, it plays an important role in the construction of perceptions and impressions about social conditions of a society. International launches, the distribution of movies and the idolisation of actors, show how much cinema influences society. This paper analyses how cinemas continue to act as a form of media for communicating to the masses while they remain a source of entertainment. Referring to the history of representation of society through cinema, the paper focuses on the Indian society through a case study of the motion picture Slumdog Millionaire. Referring to the movie, findings reflect on the role of cinema as an informative medium representing the issues being faced by people in a society.