Why can\’t cinema be accepted as a profession?

Couple of days back on a famous TV show hosted by a legendary actor, there was a particular point discussed. As an aspiring struggling film maker, it’s something which I have faced and asked myself many times. Why can’t Cinema be accepted as a profession?

Ironically on the show, the topic was brought up by a renowned play back singer, whom I very personally know and happens to be one of my biggest moral supporters. We have discussed this same topic over numerous phone calls in the past several years. But honestly, never did it seem to affect me like now, irrespective of how many similar questions I used to get earlier itself to my mention of interest to be Cinema.    

The first of many reasons people say to why Cinema cant be considered as a profession is, only the dumb and the people who fail in studies switch over to cinema. WRONG. STUPIDITY. Cinema / Film industry is a not a trash bag. It is as serious an industry as any other field which exist. In fact you need have a little edge over the others to be in the industry because brain matters irrespective of what you do in a film industry. Unlike any other field, you are putting yourself up on trial in front of the common people. Everyone in the world is judging you, no matter what he or she does. To withstand that judgement, to pass that trial, you really need to have an edge over others. In short, you really need to be eligible to get into the film industry. The scales are higher than usual.

Second, there is no consistency.  Oh yes! IT field has consistency. Medical field has consistency. Marketing field has consistency. Everything has consistency. But cinema, heck where is it?! You get the frustration, don’t you!!

Third, film industry is bad. There are a lot of wrong habits involved in it.  Have you ever heard about a human being named Indrans? Dot.

Sometimes I wonder why parents of aspiring film makers think twice before they mention their kid is into films. Cinema is much more than what you people sees in a theatre paying Rs 100 or more. Its an Art. YES, CINEMA IS AN ART. Get that fed. Not everyone wants to be a doctor or an engineer. Of late, there have been some beautiful tiny tales about how passionate writers, talented photographers and committed film lovers end up being doctors and engineers. When their parents feel happy about how they have made them proud by being what they wanted their kids to be, I wonder whether they even think about how much of pain their lovely kid underwent to see his/her dreams being shattered into pieces.

There is something very special about Cinema. Its something attractive, something beautiful which really cannot be explained in words. It is there to feel. For that, first you need to respect Cinema. Understand everyone who is a part of this beautiful industry is NOT dumb and drop outs. Understand there is a lot of hardwork and commitment involved. You see the fame it gives. You see the money it gives. But you don’t see how it works. How much of struggle each and everyone undergo reach that point. You know, Mohanlal was given zero marks by a director for his first audition!

I don’t think I could be wrong; film industry is the largest and the biggest industry in this world. It could also be the industry which offers a lot of career opportunities. From light boys to directors to actors to review writers, there are at least 25 designations. You don’t get a promotion from a light boy to a director unless you learn the art of film making but you can really be a light unit chief one day.

To top the cherry, I will tell you what. When you graduate from a college and go for a job people ask you for experience straightaway. If you find it dumb, yes that same dumbness is a part of film field too!

Respect cinema. If your kids are into cinema, respect them. Especially, the struggling ones because they already undergo a lot of mental stress to crack it and they need your support. Be proud to tell your peers your kid is into cinema, something which probably their kids cannot reach to.