The Impact of Inappropriate Scenes: Reflections on 'Thirunaal' and the Influence on Children

"The Impact of Inappropriate Scenes: Reflections on 'Thirunaal' and the Influence on Children"

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to watch the movie "Thirunaal," and I found myself unsettled by a few scenes depicted in the film. One particular scene involves Nayan, who plays the role of a kindergarten teacher. In an attempt to portray herself as a sweet and caring teacher, she offers chocolates to the children as a reward for entering the classroom. To further emphasize her affectionate character, she requests kisses on the cheek from the kids. However, one child ends up kissing Nayan on the lips. This scene left me questioning its implications. Does the child's innocent action suggest attraction towards Nayan at such a young age? Or is it simply viewed as cute when a child goes beyond normal boundaries? Is this a reflection of modernity, or is it purely intended for entertainment purposes?

Personally, I found it difficult to accept a scene that seemingly promotes children engaging in inappropriate dialogue or actions for the sake of comedy or innocence. In an interview, the director defended the scene, stating that it was meant to depict the innocence of children and provide humor. However, if such scenes are intended to be innocent, I am concerned that we may be compromising the true essence of childhood innocence. It is crucial to teach children, both boys and girls, about the concepts of good and bad touch. Unfortunately, the director's portrayal of childhood in this manner is disconcerting.

Consider the potential consequences of such scenes. If a child were to witness this and then be asked to kiss someone, they might imitate the act, assuming it is cute or the way things should be. Children are highly impressionable and often learn from what they see in movies, considering it as inspiration. Regrettably, movies have a negative influence on children in certain instances. I hope that Tamil cinema will eventually stop showcasing children in exaggerated scenes, heroines as Loosu-ponnu, and heroes engaging in smoking and drinking, all while portraying it as admirable or cool.(Idhu la cool background music vera)

If a scene is intended to convey modernization or Western culture, it is important to understand that modernization does not equate to allowing children to spend hours playing video games or enrolling them in numerous extracurricular activities at a very young age.

Additionally, there is another scene in "Thirunaal" where the hero commits an immoral act during his time as a rowdy. Surprisingly, he shows no remorse for his actions in subsequent scenes. A real man would not engage in such behavior, yet it is no surprise that Nayan falls in love with him.

Movies are undoubtedly a form of entertainment, and it is ultimately up to individuals to discern between good and bad influences within a film. One could argue that it is possible to learn positive lessons from movies while disregarding the negative aspects. However, my concern lies with children, as they are not yet mature enough to distinguish between right and wrong. They learn from movies, whether it is about societal values or negative behaviors.

There are numerous commendable films, such as "Appa," which deliver important messages about effective parenting. Unfortunately, there are also movies like "Thirunaal" that fail to uphold these standards.