Hansal Mehta’s Films Reflect a Systematic Machinery of Hate
The filmmaker highlights the role of art in paving the way for meaningful change.
With nearly two decades of experience in the media and entertainment industry, Preeti Jha is a creative producer and director known for her expertise in content creation, production management, and storytelling. Currently serving as a senior creative producer at IncNut Digital, Preeti plays a pivotal role in developing high-impact digital content, overseeing creative strategy, and managing production workflows.
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Hansal Mehta’s latest Instagram post is a rallying cry against the systemic forces that foster hate, division, and violence in society. In a candid statement, the celebrated filmmaker writes, “I hate having to say this. But it needs to be said — again.” His words remind us that his films––Shahid, Omertà, and Faraaz––are not simply cinematic creations; they are urgent conversations that address the harsh realities of our times. By using his art as a platform, Mehta forces his audience to face uncomfortable truths about state-sponsored terror, the manipulation of young minds, and the pervasive machinery of hatred that transcends borders and religions.
Cinema As A Voice For Social Change
Throughout his career, Hansal Mehta has consistently used cinema as a potent tool for social commentary. In his post, he reflects on how his films have tackled complex themes such as radicalisation, brainwashing, and the consequences of glorifying violence in the name of belief. The films, which once evoked strong reactions from critics and audiences alike, were deliberately provocative.
Mehta recounts the backlash he faced when questions were raised about his choice of stories: “Why this story? Why this focus? Are you targeting a community?” His firm response—”No. These stories are about a system”—reinforces his commitment to portraying an unvarnished reality, one in which societal faults and institutional complicity are laid bare.
Echoes From The Past: Reflecting On Films And Real-world Events
A particularly striking element of his message is the connection he draws between the narratives in his films and real-world events. He specifically mentions that the chilling events depicted in Omertà and Faraaz find unsettling echoes in the recent happenings in Pahalgam. This reference is not made lightly; it is a clarion call to acknowledge that the horrors once confined to the realm of cinema are reflective of a deeper, ongoing societal malaise.
For Mehta, these films serve as timeless commentaries that underscore how extremist ideologies and state-sanctioned terror continue to manifest, with devastating consequences for innocence and human values.
The Responsibility Of The Storyteller
In his reflective tone, Hansal Mehta also touches upon the high stakes involved in addressing sensitive issues. He criticizes what he sees as moral grandstanding—choosing comfort over confrontation when it comes to acknowledging the ugly truths of systematic hatred. “Is it really woke to deny the disease? To look away because confronting it is hard?” he questions rhetorically.
For Mehta, refusing to acknowledge and address these issues is not just an act of avoidance; it is an act of cowardice that endangers society. His call for accountability is clear: we must stop looking away and instead face this sickness head-on if we ever hope to heal as a community.
Hansal Mehta’s post is layered with the insights of a filmmaker who has not only observed history but also attempted to shape it through his work. His films—whether portraying the fraught landscape of state-sponsored terror or the heartbreaking consequences of violence—reflect his deep-seated desire to reform societal norms and protect the vulnerable.
The message is clear: cinema can be more than entertainment; it can be an instrument of change, sparking conversation and pushing audiences to question the status quo. His films, as he reminds us, are not mere entertainment—they are a deliberate confrontation with the forces that seek to divide and destroy. The call he makes is as relevant today as ever: we must stop turning a blind eye to the systemic issues that threaten our communities.
Mehta’s work remains a testament to the enduring power of storytelling in confronting the darkest aspects of human society and in paving the way for meaningful change.
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