Sudip Sharma, the writer, director, and creator, emphasizes that violence is not the ultimate goal in filmmaking, particularly in violent narratives. In a conversation with OTTplay regarding the release of Paatal Lok Season 2 on Amazon Prime Video, he reflects on his contributions to Hindi cinema, which often delve into some of its darkest themes. However, these narratives are crafted to encourage viewers to reconsider societal perspectives rather than merely depict violence for its own sake. His exploration of violence, driven by a desire to understand the world more deeply, has resulted in impactful films and series. Notable works such as NH10, Udta Punjab, Paatal Lok, and Kohrra exemplify the high-quality content he has produced. Yet, despite his expertise in this genre, he questions the current landscape of films that portray violence.

Sudip Sharma on Violence in Films

In recent years, cinema has seen a surge of narratives centered around men wielding firearms, characterized by distinctive mannerisms and a disregard for authority, often engaging in acts of revenge. This trend has evolved into a genre of its own. However, Sharma expresses concern over the normalization of violence without repercussions and the audience's growing desensitization, which he believes is detrimental to the art of filmmaking. In an exclusive interview, he analyzes the portrayal of violence in his works in light of Paatal Lok Season 2 and critiques the increasingly one-dimensional nature of the genre, which he finds troubling.

Addressing the shift in the genre and its broader implications, Sharma asserts, “For me, violence is never the end; that is not the point of writing a violent film. The essence of NH10 is not merely violence; rather, it illustrates how violence begets further violence and emphasizes the consequences that follow. This principle also applies to Paatal Lok.”

He emphasizes that the essence of Paatal Lok is not the violence itself, but rather the underlying causes of that violence. It is essential to look beyond the surface and recognize that the character's violent behavior stems from systemic issues. What motivates this individual to resort to violence? By understanding these motivations, can we gain deeper insights into his character? Furthermore, could addressing these systemic challenges contribute to the creation of a more just society? This inquiry encapsulates the fundamental message of Paatal Lok.

Sharma expresses concern that violence has increasingly been portrayed as a goal in mainstream cinema, with the lack of repercussions being particularly alarming. "At some point, violence has transformed into an objective in mainstream cinema, which disturbs me greatly. The absence of consequences for the violence depicted on screen is indeed troubling. In reality, violence has significant repercussions. Even a brief glimpse of a street altercation can leave a lasting impression. The very notion that one individual can inflict harm on another is impactful. My own experiences with violence were not due to my own aggression, but rather because I grew up in a challenging environment. Living in Assam during the 80s and 90s, I witnessed the ramifications of violence firsthand."

He reflects on films where protagonists enter spaces and eliminate numerous individuals without facing any repercussions, yet society idolizes them as heroes. Numerous examples exist, including Animal, Pushpa, KGF, and others. "Recently, we have become desensitized to the portrayal of violence in films that lack consequences. A character storms into a hotel armed and kills 150 people, yet no one questions the absence of law enforcement. Why is this not being addressed? Why do we celebrate this individual as a hero? Why are we not scrutinizing the ethics of his actions? This, in my view, is deeply concerning."

Paatal Lok Season 2 is currently available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video. For further updates on this series and other content in the realm of streaming and cinema, please stay connected with OTTplay.

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