Amaran Mukundan

Movies like these can give the impression that all Muslims are terrorists and all Brahmins are depicted in a negative light. While certain issues like terrorism and caste-based discrimination do exist within parts of these communities, it's unfair to generalize as not everyone shares or acts on such beliefs.

If the goal of media or films is to raise awareness, it's essential to show diverse perspectives and represent the positive aspects of these communities as well.

Unfortunately, profit-driven motives often dominate the industry, making social reform a secondary concern.

If social change were prioritised, we would see more brave, balanced portrayals of Brahmins and patriotic depictions of Muslims in Indian cinema. In reality, such figures exist, even if they are a minority, but these positive representations are rarely highlighted.

But thanks for starting this thread. Interesting one @chanchitra

 

@chanchitra,

My post was not to give an opposite view of what you brought to light. Kashmiri files brought to light the suffering of Kashmiri Pandits. Annapoorani was a life of Brhamin Chef who was struggling to become a famous Chef due to her being a woman and from a minority community. The movie Bombay depicted how the violence erupted after bomb blast in Bombay. After much difficulty, this movie was released and even the Director had death threats. Vishwaroopam release was delayed due to government intervention and finally after Kamalhasan agreeing to edit some parts, the movie was released. The movies do run into trouble, making it difficult for the producers to release the movie and make money.

It is true that several movies were taken undermining the brahmin community whether it is in a scene or the entire movie. Even in one movie, the major outside influence to a government was a Brahmin who does a lot of corrupt things in life. They don't hesitate to show them as bad villains. As you said when the distribution of the Tamil movies are controlled by Red Giant and Sun Pictures, everyone is reluctant to say something in the movie that would affect the success of the movie and resultant loss. In no other state, the hatred for Brahmins is so hight other than Tamilnadu.

Frankly, if Mukundan was portrayed as a Brahmin, the movie would have never been as successful as it is today. Such is a hatred for Brahmins among people and for decades Dravidian parties have brainwashed them under the name of social justice.

 

@chanchitra You said -
A Non Brahmin can become a priest too after studying the course to become one.
How many are doing it though?

Its not about the number. Its about equality and non-discrimination.

The society was Casteist once upon a time. - The society is still casteist. Just because you and me are not casteist, it does not mean that the society is not Casteist anymore. Its comparitively better in Tamilnadu compared to other states due to leaders like Periyar and others.

In olden days, Bramins had an upper hand over other castes. There was open favoritsm among brahmins for jobs or any other opportunities. Thats how these Dravidian parties came in TN with a propaganda of reservations to lift up backward classes. But these days, we don't see widespread discrimation or favoritsm done by Bramins anymore. But the political parties need to feed on something right? So they are just using whatever is convinient for their polities.

Some dominant and upper caste non-brahmin castes are the worst in TN at the moment. They hold false caste pride and think others are beneath them. They are also huge in numbers, so they have a strong hold in Politics. Thats the current scenarion in TN. Caste will not vanish until these ppl let go off their caste pride.

Its true that people still blame Brahmins for everything like caste divisions, untouchability etc., riducule them, mock them. But they dont see that Bramins have never indulged in any honor killings, or violence against any caste even in the past. These days, most of them are highly educated, are more broad minded and treat their women better.

Not only brahmin jokes, there are many cringe wife jokes, sexist jokes, body shaming jokes which the mainstream media still makes. Its high time ppl come out of that and start giving quality entertainment.

 

Your points are gold and very true. But here is another thought. muguls and british. came killed, raped and did many horrible things. we are not going behind Muslims and white and starting a honor fine and getting back in putting them down right after independence. and what you said is true in some parts. hold everyone accountable. in this post modern 21 century.

media is extremely manipulative. then why to put down 1 to bring up another. make the law even. why reservations. make it based on economic affordability.

sandly this will be a pipe dream as it does not feed the vote banks.

 

And last Sunday, a team of two people from the Municipal office visited every house in Telangana for caste census

 

Absolutely.

Cinema, especially Indian cinema, often reflects the sentiments of its audience. Many people view Brahmins as figures of mockery due to perceived issues with caste practices and superstitions like untouchability. For instance, I know a highly educated Brahmin friend who won’t eat or drink anything from other people’s homes—not even tea or coffee. Yet, this same friend accepted blood donations and a kidney (for her husband) from a Muslim donor with completely different practices. This behaviour often draws laughter from our office, as it highlights some of the contradictions in caste beliefs and superstitions.

This is somewhat similar to the syndrome of Islamophobia. I used to feel uneasy around Muslims, associating phrases like “Insha’Allah” with terrorism because of media portrayals. I assumed that many Muslims supported such acts simply because of their visibility in religious rhetoric. However, my perspective changed when I worked in the Middle East (Syria and Egypt) and witnessed first-hand the complexities of conflicts there. Many of the people affected by war felt driven to seek help from those labelled as "terrorists," just like the way Tamil communities sought shelter from LTTE after suffering at the hands of military forces, such as the Sri Lankan and Indian armies. Especially Indian peacekeepers during late 80s. The abuses committed against Kashmiri women by military forces are similarly painful reminders of this cycle.

So, it’s a constant loop: for every military hero, another soldier commits an abuse; for every terrorist we condemn, another is seen as a freedom fighter by those they protect. Likewise, for every Brahmin hero, there is a castist stupid. People’s experiences shape their views—each with their own perspectives shaped by history and suffering.

The media take advantage of the sentiments of the majority. In the southern part of Sri Lanka, TV serials glorify the heroic acts of the Sinhalese army, and the community still believes they are the real heroes. Whereas, the northern Sri Lankan community still think Sri Lankan army is the villain, with first hand experience from their abuse. So, all their creations (be it serials or novels) vilify the army.

I think this context applies for all. This is high time people come out of their nest and see the other side of the world.