Let's Be Cinema's Fan

Cinema is inevitable when it comes to the world of art. Very few people in this world are not interested in movies. A theatre is that rare dark place where no one fears the darkness; instead, we embrace the light on screen, sharing laughter, tears, and emotions with complete strangers. Even though we know the story unfolding before us is fictional, we still laugh, cry, and get angry—because cinema, through the combined effort of its 24 crafts, has the power to pull us into a virtual world.

Among these crafts, the role of the actor is crucial. They are the ones who bring the writer’s imagination to life and hold the complete attention of the audience. In a country like India, cinema has become more than just entertainment—it is often treated like a religion. Fans are madly devoted to their heroes. They celebrate film releases as though they were festivals, sometimes even at great personal cost. A ticket may be worth as much as fifty people’s lunch, but for a fan, watching the FDFS (First Day First Show) of their favourite star is priceless. Youngsters skip college, burst crackers, and even pour milk over giant cutouts of their idols. Sadly, some fans even go to the extent of worshipping their heroes.

But hero is not a light term. It is a word of deep significance. True heroes are our soldiers, scientists, doctors, farmers, and teachers—people who make sacrifices for the greater good. Abroad, actors are loved and admired, but not worshipped as gods. In places like China or London, fans don’t risk their lives for their favourite stars, nor do they engage in cheap social media fights to prove their idol’s superiority. Love for an actor has its limits, and when it crosses that line, it becomes blind obsession. Too much of anything, after all, leads to nothing.

I, too, was once caught in this craze. During my school days, I admired Rajinikanth; in college, I was inspired by Vikram’s dedication and Kamal Haasan’s unmatched acting skills. But with maturity came a deeper understanding of cinema. Now, I no longer watch films as a star-struck fan—I observe them. I have become a fan of cinema itself.

This shift also helped me notice the unseen heroes behind the screen: the light men, property arrangers, set designers, and countless others whose contributions often go unrecognized. For decades, audiences focused only on stars, ignoring the rest of the crafts. Fortunately, things are slowly changing. Today, even ordinary viewers—without technical training but with years of practical experience from watching movies—have started questioning illogical plots, criticizing weak storytelling, and even suggesting alternate screenplays. This is why even big-star films fail if one element of cinema doesn’t connect.

At its core, cinema is not about hero worship. It is about how well it can connect with us emotionally. The emotional bond should be with the story, not the hero alone. Just like in life—where we are not all heroes, but still play important roles as sidekicks, villains, guides, or supporters—cinema too thrives on its many roles and crafts working together.

I long for the day when Indian audiences begin addressing actors as protagonists and antagonists instead of heroes and villains. That day, we will become true admirers of cinema. Let us stop worshipping actors blindly and instead celebrate the art form as a whole.

If you want to learn how to observe cinema, enjoy it more deeply, and use it to improve your own perspective, my book "Let's Be Cinema's Fan: Projecting the Artwork of Film" will definitely guide you.