Jana Gana Mana...

The iconic Indian flag displayed during the depiction of the Indian national anthem

A film that you’ve been feverishly anticipating the arrival of has finally been released in the Indian movie theaters. With a shot of adrenaline, you book your ticket online and rush over to your local theater. Once inside, you load up on all the popcorn and candy you can before heading over to the designated screen. You make yourself comfortable and extend your legs out in that plush, reclinable seat of yours. Munching on your popcorn and candy, you eagerly wait for the previews and eventually the film to begin. It’s a packed screening; everyone is whispering about their movie predictions with buzzing excitement. You notice the lights dim and the speakers relaying the sound with heightened intensity. Then, a message appears on the screen.

“Please stand up for the national anthem”.

You look around you, and everyone slowly starts setting aside whatever they were munching on or drinking. It’s not outright obvious, but you examine the facial expressions of those around you and realize that they’re likely having the same exact thoughts that you are. 

Why? Why are we required to stand up for the national anthem every single time in front of a damn movie screening? 

In 2018, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of not mandating playing the national anthem in movie theaters, instead making it something optional that movie theaters could independently incorporate. However, why is it even optional in the first place? Must the citizens of India be reminded every single time of the country that they are pledging their allegiance to when watching a film. As I stated in my previous post regarding the presence of substance disclaimers, individuals watch movies for entertainment purposes. They’re there to have a good time and potentially have another memorable experience (if the film merits it). They aren’t coming to movie theaters to be indoctrinated or conditioned to believe certain things or act a certain way to appease the whims of the government. It’s ridiculous that in this day and age, such an archaic practice can still be enforced in one of the least likely of institutional settings. 

This indoctrinated practice seems to also force everyone to conform and highlight their undying respect and appreciation for India. However, not everyone may be necessarily proud to be affiliated with what the country represents and stands for. Those who have been subject to decades of abuse, discrimination, and negligence may not want to ever publicly display their pride and affection for India. Similarly, those who consider the crippling consequences that the corruption, toxic masculinity, and inequality that is simply ubiquitous in significant proportions in the country may not feel the need or desire to stand up for the national anthem. To subject them to such a practice in movie theaters will only enhance their feelings of animosity towards the government and society as whole.

It’s wishful thinking to presume that this practice will completely be eliminated given the current political party in power, but it’s most certainly the right and sensible step to take. Our movie theaters shouldn’t be settings in which nationalistic and patriotic sentiments are aroused by such governmental measures.