Gerontological issues and Bengali films: A critical study of select ageing characters

Abstract

Population ageing is a globally acclaimed crisis of the 21st century and for the days to come. India is undergoing unprecedented demographic changes like the dramatic increase of population of adults aged 60 and up. Better nutrition, sanitation, healthy care, education, economic well-being, declining mortality, fertility rate, and infant mortality as well, increasing age at marriage particularly among women, lead to the expansion of life expectancy. As life expectancy is increasing, so also different types of problems on the physical, psychological, social, economic levels are rising up. The impacts of modernization and globalization leading to proliferation of old-age homes, changing family values and structure, overseas migration cannot be denied here. In this paper the gerontological issues have been focused in the lives of four select characters in the Bengali films Benche Thakar Gaan (2016) and Mayurakshi (2017) to show their challenges and struggles to overcome. This paper contextualizes the issues and shows the relevance in the present socio-cultural and economic fabric. This paper also puts stress on the policy initiatives, successful ageing and the united efforts of the society with a hope of creating a good atmosphere favourable for all round development of the elderly.