As much as the media influences our culture, the movies and TV shows we watch also reflect our society and its values and trends. Perhaps the clearest example of this is the depiction of the herbs throughout the history of Indian cinema, which transitioned from a demonized activity done exclusively by criminals or upper class hippies who can afford to break the law.
There’s no denying that stoner comedies like The Big Lebowski and Pineapple Express cannot exist in India (till now). But there’s an interesting angle to the portrayal of Bhang in India Movies. Although both come from the same plant, one is linked with pleasure while the other is linked with deviant behaviour. But let’s dive into the history of the portrayal of the herbs in Indian cinema.
MOVIES INFLUENCING CULTURE
Earlier Bollywood films often shouldered the responsibility of social culture. Modern India was in its early stages as a socialist democracy. It was crucial to instill values which would lead to progressing our nation.
This remained somewhat true even after the Globalization policy in 1991. With the influx of Western Media, Bollywood focused on romanticizing the beautiful parts of Indian culture, especially to NRIs. Herbs, despite having a long history in India, was often viewed as a western corruption.
HARE RAMA HARE KRISHNA (1971)
The idea for Dev Anand’s 1970s classic was conceived when he visited Kathmandu, Nepal and encountered hippies living there. In the movie, legendary actress Zeenat Aman plays a westernized hippie who romanticizes alcohol and the herbs (referred often as “drugs” in older Indian movies) in an award-winning performance.
Jasbir, played by Aman, is the sister of Anand’s Prashant Jaiswal. The film centres around Prashant trying to save his sister from the hippie life and how these substances are tangled into religion. However, it fails to make solid mentions to Bhang, which is deeply tied with religious events in India.
CHARAS (1976)
This action thriller might have one of the most direct references to the c*nnabis in the title, but its usage in the film is more of a backdrop of general illegal activity by Kalicharan, the caretaker of Suraj Kumar’s property. Suraj Kumar, played by Dharmendra returns home from Uganda after the expulsion in the 70s and gets involved with the cops in tracking down Kalicharan who has a series of illegal activities under his belt.
While gang activity was associated with c*nnabis in older cinema, Bhang enjoyed a holy status. 1974’s Aap Ki Kasam featured Jai Jai Shiv Shankar, sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar talking about the experience of drinking Bhang. Meanwhile, 1978’s Don had the iconic, often-played Khaike Paan Banaras Wala with similar positive experiences tied to Bhang.
CULTURE INFLUENCING MOVIES
“There’s a culture of smoking up among today’s youth and it’s becoming more and more relevant in our movies”, Bejoy Nambiar, Writer and Director of Shaitaan (2011).
This seemingly normal quote might represent a larger movement. While Bollywood was historically considered the shapers of culture, in the social media age, young people consume as much media from the west (if not more).
So what role does cinema play in today’s society? Perhaps it holds a mirror to society, and portrays what’s going on. That’s the mindset Nambiar and other contemporary Bollywood filmmakers have held.
SHAITAAN (2011)
Shaitaan has a nuanced portrayal of the herbs. Similar to older Bollywood, they’re associated with unproductive members of society, but the herbs are portrayed as an escape from pain. The protagonist and her gang seek an escape from the pressures of life, much like a lot of people who unwind with a spliff at the end of a long day.
LUV SHUV TEY CHICKEN KHURANA (2012)
This 2010s comedy was a big step towards removing the negative image attached to the herbs and forming an association similar to one Bhang has. In the climax of the film it is revealed to the protagonist that the secret ingredient of his grandmother’s famous Chicken Khurana recipe is a lot greener than he first assumed. He keeps this a secret but it decontextualizes their family dinners!
GO GOA GONE (2013)
This cult classic is often described as India’s first stoner comedy. This film is very good at hinting at the herbs without directly talking about it. The film’s turn to zombie horror can be implied by a bad trip, but is never directly stated. The song Babaji ki Booti starts with a long drag followed by a cough and a voice saying “Le marr” (take a drag), while the title being a reference to the ancient Indian origins of the herbs.
KAPOOR & SONS (2016)
In an iconic scene from the film, Rishi Kapoor’s character finds a rolled “cigarette”. He’s filled with a glee and excitement that cigarettes often don’t provide 90 year old retired army officers. In the very next scene, the lights dimmer down and he and his sons drop the bickering and relax together.
This example is possibly the strongest positive depiction Bollywood has had. The implied herbs in this example isn’t a backdrop or a prop for a gangster or a western corruption. Its plot device that resolves conflicts in a similar way to how it does in real life!
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
Akshay Kumar’s highest grossing film Good Newwz (2019) had him casually smoking while Gully Boy (2019) had a subplot which touched upon the illegal trade of the herbs. It’s honestly hard to tell what direction public opinions will take in the near future.
What can be said, however, is that perceptions definitely change overtime. From the violent, western ideal-corrupting hippies in Hare Rama Hare Krishna to a 90 year retired army officer using a spliff to bring peace to his household, we have come a long way in the last 50 years. Who knows what lies ahead?
