WORSHIPPERS IN GREY: SHAPING AUDIENCE BELIEFS THROUGH THE REPRESENTATION OF AGHORIS IN VISUAL MEDIA

Films evolve as a medium for imaginative articulation. It plays the role of mass communication. Films entertain, inform, educate and provide cultural understanding to the viewers. Films are popular and influence the viewers thereby becoming a major social influence. Films become the stage for the active participation of viewers where the viewers formulate their conclusions and opinions regarding any topic. Films possess universality and aid the audience in moulding their understandings by providing a vivid picturization of society and its culture. India, the land of diverse culture and ethnicity is a home to different exotic groups of people who follow varying traditions and customs. Each of these groups resides in the fringes of the mainstream cultural segments and indulge in their own beliefs, conducts and way of living. The Aghoris, the ardent followers of Lord Shiva are a group of spiritual sadhus who are mystical, unconventional and the most respected ascetics found in many spiritual centres of India. The Aghoris are portrayed in different facets in various digital media such as films and documentaries. The movie Naan Kadavul (2009) and documentary Believer with Reza Aslan (2017) represent Aghoris in contrasting ways. These myriad representations of the cult influence the audience and inscribe in their minds varied opinions.