The Hindi Film Industry without Hindi Gyan

By Priyansh Jaiprakash Singh

The official language of India is Hindi and since, it is widely spoken across India, it is also considered as National Language of India. The specialty of Hindi language is that, it is very simple language, which can be read, as it is written. The word “Hindi” is Persian term but its origin can be traced to Sanskrit language.

Bollywood, which is also known as Hindi Film Industry produces film in Hindi and promotes it throughout world with films and songs. The liking for hindi songs and movies is also rising across world and through this, the inhabitants of other countries are getting exposure to Hindi Language.

The veteran actors/actresses of Hindi film industry had good command over hindi language in addition to English and other regional languages. Due to this command over hindi language, they used to be called in election campaign, agitation, public speeches and other events, where they, with impeccable command over hindi used to directly connect with common citizens. These actors/actresses were well conversant with hindi language, may be because, most of them came from grassroots level and were born around independence era.

But today, when you look at the young actors/actresses and even middle aged one, they proudly showcase their lack of hindi language, and they prefer to converse among themselves in English language, at least they show it like that to outsider. The language which gave them so much fame, name, respect and honor is outcast for them, when they are not shooting. The hindi language is just means to earn money and nothing else. Look at the modern award functions, where actor/actresses with less English language, feels uncomfortable to speak after receiving award. These award functions can be a great platform to promote Hindi, but unfortunately, it is far from it. This is exactly opposite in case of other film industries, where their artists do not shy from speaking their own mother language.

The direct impact of this trend is on young population of India, who are influenced by these actors/actresses and in order to show themselves sophisticated, modern and progressive; they are turning away from their own mother language. The wrongful effect of this trend is that, Indians (including theses actors/actresses) are neither fluent in Hindi nor English, and thus so evolved new language system that is, Hinglish. Hinglish has become a language for people, who cannot completely converse in Hindi or English.

Since, India is independent country everyone has the right to speak his/her choosen language for communicating/conversing with others without any interference, but, about our originality/identity, the people all over world carries impression and general identification that Indian means Hindi, Hindustani means Hindi.

The Bollywood actors/actresses cannot be completely blamed for this unaffection towards Hindi language. Somewhere, it has become the mindset of us Indians that English and other foreign language is sign of prosperity, modern outlook and quick way to earn money and, we do not want to change this mindset.

Again, here it is emphasized that Bollywood actors/actresses should not limit their hindi gyan to 70 mm screen, but they should promote it vigorously at various public platform out of India and also through their interviews and social functions. The Hindi language have given them so much name, fame and money, at least this much can be expected of them.

The Bollywood actors/actresses and also common Indians need to remember that, however fluently they speak English language, ultimately they will be known as Indian or Hindustani and Hindustani without knowledge of hindi is very weird and unusal.

By Priyansh Jaiprakash Singh