83% of Youths Jobless in India, but Why Isn't 'Unemployment' a Theme for Indian Filmmakers Anymore?

Lucknow- The ILO report depicts a grim scenario of India’s unemployment scenario, which has worsened during the Modi regime since 2014.

In 2019, data released by the Labour Ministry showed that joblessness in the country was 6.1% of the total labour force during 2017-18, the highest in 45 years.

However, despite the spiralling unemployment and inflation, the issue seems to be missing from the newsroom debates which have a predilection for communal and agenda-based topics for discussion.

The issues are also not reflected in the entertainment industry as the film industry today appears to be more inclined to movies that cater to the propaganda of the ruling dispensation.

As the nation grapples with this economic conundrum, the realm of cinema, with its intrinsic ability to mirror societal truths, stands poised at a crucial juncture.

Despite the gravity of the issue, contemporary filmmakers seem reticent to delve into this pertinent theme. The absence of cinematic explorations on unemployment in the midst of political and social narratives dominating the silver screen raises pertinent questions about the industry's engagement with the pulse of the nation.

Speaking to the Mooknayak, noted film journalist and critic Ajay Brahmatmaj said “ The government itself is denying that there is unemployment in the country and therefore filmmakers think that making a film, which contradicts the claims of the government can invite raids from Income Tax and Enforcement Directorate.

However, delving into the annals of cinematic history unveils a different narrative. Rewind to an era when unemployment mirrored worrying statistics, and one finds a canvas replete with cinematic masterpieces that dared to confront the harsh realities of economic disparity and societal struggle.

Roti Kapda Aur Makaan: The Portrayal of the Harsh Realities of the Time

Roti Kapda aur Makaan, released in 1974, had unemployment as its theme. The film, produced and directed by veteran actor Manoj Kumar, opens with Kumar as Bharat carrying his degree in his pocket and angry youths resenting the system.

The film highlights the stark unemployment of the time and the resultant poverty and exploitation. Bharat, son of a retired employee, is encumbered by the responsibility of his family consisting of two brothers- Deepak (Dheeraj Kumar), Vijay (Amitabh Bachchan), and a sister Champa (Meena.T), and a retired father (Krishan Dharwan) who is struggling to scale the headwinds of his life because of unemployment.

The unemployment adversely affects his love life as well, as Sheetal (Zeenat Aman) falls for Mohan Babu (Shashi Kapoor), a wealthy businessman after dancing with Bharat to a wet, sensual song … Haye Haye Yeh Majboori...! Ironically, Sheetal expresses her preference for a date in the rainy season to a Do takiya ki naukri (low paying job).

The script of the classic moves at a fast pace to show the disillusionment and despair of the times amongst the lower middle-class youths. The element of symbolism is woven masterfully into the characters of Manoj Kumar’s films, and in Roti Kapda Aur Makaan, the character of Bharat represents the hopeless, embattled, unemployed youth of the country at that time. While Mohan, played by Shashi Kapoor, and Harnaam Singh, played by Prem Nath, are characterized as honest businessmen and hardworking laborers, respectively. The scene where Bharat consigns his degree to the flame of the pyre of his dead father for the failure to provide medicines reflects the hopelessness and disillusionment of the youth of that era.

The song 'Mahangai Maar Gayi...', picturized on Manoj Kumar, Maushami Chaterjee, and Prem Nath, depicts the pangs of inflation on the poor and the marginalized of the country which affect education, marriage, clothing, housing, etc. The song rings true even today with inflation spiraling out of control of the governments.

The hopelessness pushes Bharat to crime in the later part of the film, even as his brothers Deepak and Vijay are selected for the Police and Indian Army respectively, rendering a perfect foil effect on the situation - a common trope in the movies of that era.

In the climax of the film, the characters representing different professions fight off Neki Ram (Madan Puri) who, as a black marketer and hoarder, represents the enemies of Bharat. The film was received well commercially and was the highest grosser of 1974, proving that the film touched a chord with the masses at that time. Besides, Manoj Kumar went on to win the Award for the Best Director at the Filmfare Awards of 1974.

It is to be remembered that Manoj Kumar, like most of the film personalities of the time, was considered close to the ruling Congress party, but still rose above political affiliation to make a film that narrates the harsh realities of that time. Today, however, the situation is a bit different as we observe that major filmmakers today have focused on appeasing the ruling dispensation by making films that are aligned with the ideology of the ruling dispensation

Other Movies that had Unemployment As a Rippling Theme

Roti Kapda aur Makaan is not the only film made in that era that focuses on unemployment; rather, there are several other films that have unemployment and despair attached to it as a theme.

The film Dost, released the same year, shows Maanav (Dharmendra) as an educated and unemployed youth who fails to get a job in most parts of the film but does not give up on honesty. In contrast, his friend Anand (Amitabh Bachchan in a cameo) expresses his desire to take the recourse to crime, in case he does not get a job. Sadly, it is Anand, a minor character in the film, whose words sound closer to the despair and disillusionment of the youth of that era. However, Maanav too gives up hope and attempts suicide, only to be saved by Gopichand (Shatrughan Sinha), a small-time criminal symbolizing how crime and dishonesty save honest, idealized youths from death.

The song “Gadi Bula Rahi Ha...,” sung by Kishore Kumar and written by Anand Bakshi, is a leitmotif of the film. The film, directed by Dulal Guha and produced by Premji, was the fourth-highest grosser film of the year, proving yet again that the audience connected with the theme of unemployment in that era.

Unemployment was a prominently appearing theme not only in the 70s but also in the 80s when the crisis was not as severe as in the previous decade. Arjun, released in 1985, shows Sunny Doel playing the title role of an unemployed youth who takes the cudgels against corrupt politicians.

These movies painted a vivid picture of a society struggling with unemployment, resonating deeply with audiences.

However, in today's cinema, unemployment stories are missing. Perhaps it's because of commercial pressures or a lack of interest in real-life struggles.

But amidst all this, there's hope. The silver screen has the power to shine a light on important issues like unemployment. It's time for filmmakers to step up, tell these stories, and inspire change. As we enter a new era of cinema, let's hope for movies that reflect the real struggles of everyday people.

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