‘Singham’ and other “hero cop” movies give a very negative message, according to Justice Gautam Patel of the Bombay High Court.
Justice Gautam Patel discussed the cinematic image of a “hero cop” delivering quick justice without worrying about the due process of law, as shown in blockbuster films like ‘Singham’. He was speaking at a gathering organized by the Indian Police Foundation to mark its annual day and Police Reforms Day. He also questioned people’s “impatience” with the legal system.
Regarding police reforms, the judge stated that the Prakash Singh case ruling by the Supreme Court was an “opportunity missed” and that we cannot alter the judiciary until we first reform ourselves.
According to him, the populist perception of police as “bullies, corrupt, and unaccountable” applies to all members of the public, including judges, legislators, and journalists.
The judge claimed that when the public believes that the courts are not carrying out their duties, it cheers when the police intervene.
This is why some believe it is not just okay but even encouraged when a rape suspect is killed in a confrontation while reportedly attempting to run. They believe that justice has been done, but has it?” he questioned.
This viewpoint is widely held (In movies), police rail against judges who are shown as docile, timid, thickly-spectacled, and often very badly dressed. They accuse courts of letting the guilty go. The hero cop delivers justice single-handedly,” he said.
The climactic scene of the film Singham, in which the entire police force descended upon the politician played by Prakash Raj, demonstrated clearly that justice had been done. However, I do wonder if it has,” Justice Patel remarked, adding that we had to consider “how perilous that message is.” “Why all the hurry? We have to determine whether or not it is guilty or innocent. These procedures take time since it is a fundamental value that no one’s freedom should be taken away, he continued.
The action movie Singham (2011), which was directed by Rohit Shetty starring Ajay Devgn as a police officer, is a remake of the Tamil film of the same name from 2010.
