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Movies may be considered a very powerful medium of entertainment, and at the same time they offer insights into various aspects of human behavior. Psychologists in the West have been observing different aspects of psychology in the movies- social behavior, psychological disorders, etc. Also, the advent of Positive Psychology marks an interesting shift in perspective as far as research in the field of psychology is concerned, and therefore has had some impact in the area of movies as well. Positive psychologists have been doing some research in the area of films, Niemiec, a psychologist practising in St. Louis being the fore runner. The Indian film industry being such a powerful mode of entertainment in the country warrants research in this area, which may pave way for psycho-educational and therapeutic utilization of the information thus obtained.
Keywords: movies, film industry, entertainment, positive psychology
Movies are a powerful tool which serves many a purpose. Movies engage the viewer through acting, sound and cinematography. Apart from providing entertainment, movies also serve as great tools for spreading awareness or to bring about enlightenment on some social issues. At times, movies reflect the society and at times they project an image of an ideal society. Sometimes viewers take the images, characters and stories as having deeper meaning beyond the film itself; it is interpreted symbolically as revealing insights about human nature and society (Young, 2012). Apart from having an aesthetic value and catering to one's baser senses, movies also activate one's grey matter and provide intellectual stimulation. Thus, movies may provide a very potent area of research for psychologists.
Hindi cinema has been playing a major role in entertaining the masses in India for decades. It is indubitably the most appreciated form of entertainment in the country. The Indian film industry, popularly known as Bollywood, has always had a huge influence on the Indian society. Bollywood is the largest film producer in India and one of the largest centers of film production in the world (Jha, 2005). The Indian film industry is the world's largest in terms of number of films produced as well as the number of cinema-goers. People across the country adore, admire and idolize popular Bollywood actors. India is a country where people have built temples...