Recent Sankranthi releases have reignited concerns about the increasing portrayal of alcoholism in Telugu cinema, especially after the widespread impact of “Arjun Reddy.” The trend of glorifying alcohol consumption and drug abuse is drawing criticism for its influence on the audience, particularly the younger generation.
During this Sankranthi season, three major films – ‘Guntur Kaaram,’ ‘Saindhav,’ and ‘Naa Saami Ranga’ – have caught attention for featuring big star heroes and having songs centered around alcohol and smoking. Despite the songs promoting alcohol consumption, a statutory warning about the harmful effects of alcohol flashes on the screen throughout each song, creating an ironic contradiction.
For instance, ‘Guntur Kaaram’ includes the song ‘Mawaa Entainaa…,’ ‘Saindhav’ features ‘Wrong Usage…,’ and ‘Naa Saami Ranga’ presents ‘Seesa mootha ippu…,’ all glorifying alcohol while the lead heroes dance to the tunes. Notably, the posters and scenes of ‘Guntur Kaaram’ and ‘Naa Saami Ranga’ depict Mahesh Babu and Nagarjuna smoking a beedi, visually promoting cigarette smoking, while a textual warning about its dangers appears on the screen.
In contemporary Telugu cinema, the act of a hero drinking is portrayed as socially acceptable, with directors and heroes actively promoting it.
This trend is not limited to Sankranthi releases, as films like ‘Pushpa’ and ‘Animal’ also follow similar patterns. However, directors like Sekhar Kammula stand out for their portrayal of heroism. Sekhar Kammula’s films, such as ‘Anand,’ ‘Godavari,’ ‘Love Story,’ and ‘Fidaa,’ showcase heroism by highlighting how the hero takes care of the heroine and demonstrates responsibility. Despite the prevailing trend, these films offer an alternative perspective on heroism, focusing on positive and responsible character traits.
