'Aisa Kyun Hota Hai' another movie to spread anti-AIDS message

[Guest guest]

India uses movies to spread anti-AIDS message

By Vaibhav Varma, Channel NewsAsia's India

correspondent

Using Bollywood movies to fight the battle against

HIV-AIDS - that's what the Indian government and the

country's Catholic Church are doing to try and reach a

wider section of the population.

The title of the Hindi movie 'Aisa Kyun Hota Hai'

means 'Why does this happen?' in English.

It looks at how love, loyalty and commitment are fast

fading among younger Indians, especially those living

in cities.

The film's main message - that strong family

backing/support is needed to help stop the spread of

HIV-AIDS across India.

What's unique about 'Aisa Kyun Hota Hai' is that it's

the first full-length film to be produced by the Roman

Catholic Church in India.

Said Father Dominique Emanuel, Bishop, Archdiocese of

Delhi: " Right now there are several needs of society

and the church thinks that Hollywood or Bollywood or

Tollywood - whatever you like to call it - is the one

medium which reaches the masses. Without having to

tell anyone to come and listen to your message, they

are drawn there. "

First-time director Ajay Kanchan says the key

challenge is making movies with a strong social

message that still appeal to the audience, especially

young people.

Ajay Kanchan, director of 'Aisa Kyun Hota Hai', said:

" India in the next 50 years or 20 years is going to be

very different from the India in the last 100 years

and the outcome will largely depend on how the younger

generation is going to respond to the twin challenge

of communal polarisation and HIV-AIDS. "

'Phir Milenge' or 'We'll Meet Again' is another

mainstream film with a strong social message - a

warning that the AIDS spectre looms large over the

country.

Central to the movie's theme is society's lack of

acceptance of HIV-infected patients.

Its commercial success has prompted a wave of similar

works.

India has 5.1 million AIDS victims, the second highest

in the world.

And, the battle only threatens to grow larger.

Now that Bollywood has stepped in to lend a hand,

HIV-AIDS awareness and education may well reach new

heights. - CNA/ir

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/southasia/view/177183/1/.html

_________________

Greetings from HDP