Cinematographer Dismisses Bollywood Polarization Fears

Veteran cinematographer Baba Azmi has offered a perspective on the ongoing discussions about polarization within the Hindi film industry. Responding to questions about whether he has personally experienced increasing divisions, Azmi downplayed the concern, suggesting it might be a temporary issue affecting only a small percentage of the industry.

Azmi stressed that cinema's ultimate connection with its audience is driven by emotion and innate response, not the background of its creators. He asserted that talent and compelling storytelling are the sole metrics that truly matter to viewers, irrespective of any identity markers.

To illustrate his point, Azmi referenced the critically acclaimed film 'Lagaan.' He highlighted how the audience connected with its songs, such as the 'aarti,' without considering the religious identity of the lyricist or composer. Azmi concluded that such divisive elements are far from becoming standard practice and expressed hope that this remains the case.