Indian science fiction movies - a perspective

Traditionally, the genre of science fiction eluded the Indian film makers depriving the audience of quality sci-fi entertainment. What could be the reason for this? – Are Indian film makers scared of venturing into sci-fi? Is the Indian audience too premature to understand and appreciate quality science fiction? I jumped from one puddle of thought to another and gathered some information which I will share with you.

I was in my school when I first saw Shekhar Kapoor’s Mr. India – I was transfixed and blown out of my bloating imagination.  It is one of the biggest blockbusters in the Indian film industry. I never loved any villain more than Mogambo. The characters became immortal and so did their sharp and short, yet hard hitting dialogues. It was one of the first attempts to make a science fiction and people loved it because of its simplicity and grandeur. Shekhar Kapoor started it but I am disappointed that he never attempted another science fiction. But how Indian science fiction movies evolved from that time?

After an inordinate 20 years, Indian’s got a new science fiction hero – Krrish. The Krrish sequel was again a massive success. Robot (Enthiran) and Ra-One also pulled huge crowd to the theatres. Suddenly after 2006, the box office floodgates were thrown open by sci-fi geeks as Indian audience took a fresh look at the silver screen. With this kind of response, it is very clear that Indians enjoy science fiction, but they were denied the ultimate fantasy because of the myth – Indians don’t understand science fiction. This myth was completely busted by the phenomenal success of Avatar, directed by James Cameron. The movie grossed Rs.142 crores, beating Dabangg’s collections in India.

I think it is not the audience but the film makers who lack the love for science. The Indian movies I mentioned earlier in this article are also far below the international quality as far as inclusion of authentic scientific facts are concerned. According to me science fiction movies can be categorized into 3 broad categories – Physics, Biology and Geology.

Physics include topics such as space, gadget, artificial intelligence captured in films like Gravity and Matrix. Sci-fi movies with Biology as its central theme deals with subjects like extinct species, cloning, medicine – Jurassic Park and Sixth Day are examples of such movies. Geology based science fiction talks about natural calamities, weather change etc. – These are showcased in films like Volcano and Day After Tomorrow.  Now there is a fourth category – fantasy fiction which includes all superhero films like Spiderman, Superman and Harry Porter. Our Indian science fictions belong to the lower end of fantasy fiction because we have still not evolved from superheroes.

It’s time that the Indian film industry evolve to match the intellect of the Indian audience. You don’t have to be a science student to create quality science fiction movies – you just have to love science.  Steven Spielberg and James Cameron are both college dropouts but they love science, read science and then apply their imagination and creativity basis scientific facts. We have seen enough of flying cartoons – give us a break. I request the Indian film fraternity to read science journals and novels to come out with some genuine science fiction and not just petty fantasies. Science fiction helps to create interest and love for science among children and young adults. It broadens our imagination and enhances our understanding about scientific facts. We have started to see efforts being made and I am sure we will get what we want soon.