Heroes with Humanity: Rethinking Justice in Cinema


"I was watching the Tamil movie "Master" with my 12-year-old son recently. In a particular high-octane scene, the hero was chasing the villain who was followed by 40 lorries. The hero began taking down the lorries one by one using a bow and arrows, either killing the drivers or destroying the vehicles until he finally caught up with the villain.

As we watched, my son turned to me and said something that stopped me in my tracks: ‘But the lorry drivers are innocent. They are just working for their livelihood, and now they’re being killed for working for the villain.’

His observation reflected two things—his empathy for those who seemed forgotten in the narrative and his ability to think critically about the choices being made by both the hero and the filmmakers. It also raised important questions:

- Why do innocent people need to suffer for the hero’s pursuit of justice?
- How could the story have been handled differently to make the hero's actions more morally justifiable?

In most movies, the focus is on the battle between the hero and the villain, and often, the side characters, like these drivers, are treated as expendable. But this approach overlooks an important reality: these are fictional representations of people who are often just doing their jobs. In real life, many people might find themselves working for bad individuals due to circumstances like poverty or lack of options. While they may unknowingly be part of harmful acts, does that justify violence against them?


Message to Filmmakers:

Cinema is a powerful medium. It doesn’t just entertain—it shapes how we think, feel, and respond to the world around us. As directors and writers, you have the ability to inspire us with heroes who embody not just strength but compassion, empathy, and cleverness in solving problems.

When you show violence against innocents, even as collateral damage, ask yourself:
- Is this necessary for the story, or is it simply an easy way to build tension?
- Could the hero achieve the same goal in a way that upholds moral integrity?
- What message are you sending about justice and the value of human life?

By making choices that reflect a greater respect for every character in your story, you can inspire a generation to think critically about justice—not just as punishment, but as something that uplifts and protects everyone.

Let’s write heroes who not only defeat villains but also show the audience that every life, no matter how small or peripheral, is worth protecting. Because, as my son taught me that day, even the drivers have their own stories."

This message is for all filmmakers to consider—and for us, as an audience, to demand better storytelling that combines action with humanity.