“
“Messages with
mass appeal that
are simple to
understand for the
uninspired common
Indian whose health
is equally an
important national
good lies
unaddressed”
Systematically handling a
political topic of drug
abuse in Punjab’s youth.
The film successfully
started a debate on
substance abuse problem
within Punjab, on
National Television as well
as schools and colleges.
The film certainly had an
affect on the mind set of
the people, so much so,
that the local government
took out advertisements
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BioVoiceNews | November 2017
with local hero’s to
highlight, the strengths of
Punjab. Films certainly
enjoy this power of
sparking a discussion and
letting it snow ball in the
society, which can
eventually knock at the
political system to take
notice of these issues.
Another documentary film
which shook up the
political system and the
audience was ‘Nero’s
Guest’ a brilliant
journalistic story telling of
Mr P. Sainath’s quest of
bringing farmer mental
health issues and suicides
to the forefront of media
reporting and policy
making.
Certain light hearted films
on health such as ‘Vicky
Donor’ and ‘Munna Bhai
MBBS’ have well executed
the concept of
edutainment. The former
having successfully
eliminated stigma
attached to sperm
donation and eliminated
the taboo around the
issue. It can be only
imagined how a well made
film can remove stigma for
diseases such as TB. While
Munna Bhai speaks about
the human element of the
doctor patient relationship
and stresses of a
healthcare system albeit
cinematically. Films can
very efficiently, without
intimidation and creating
fear transmit right
messages to the public for
instance as done by ‘My
Brother Nikhil’ which is
based on facts and the
struggle of an aids patient
in Goa. And the patient’s
acceptance by his parents
and society.
‘Margarita with a Straw’
successfully
communicated care givers
and patients perspective.
In which the central
character suffers from
‘Cerebral Palsy’ but is
showcased with
aspirations and grit,
similar to any girl from
today’s day and age. Such
positive and human