Presentation 107 Sem_2 _Exploring Existential Tramps in Contemporary Bollywood_ A Comparative Analysis Through the Lens of Vladimir and Estragon_.pptx

Exploring Existential Tramps in Contemporary Bollywood_ A Comparative Analysis Through the Lens of Vladimir and Estragon

1. Department of English Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University Date: 6 April 2024 Sem 2 | Batch 2023-25 Hardi Vhora "Exploring Existential Tramps in Contemporary Bollywood: A Comparative Analysis Through the Lens of Vladimir and Estragon"

2. "Exploring Existential Tramps in Contemporary Bollywood: A Comparative Analysis Through the Lens of Vladimir and Estragon"

3. NAME:- HARDI VHORA ENROLLMENT NO.:- 5108230050 SEM:- 2 BATCH:- 2023-2025 PAPER NO.:- 107 ROLL NO.:- 08 PAPER CODE: - 22400 PAPER NAME:- The Twentieth Century Literature: From World War II to the End of the Century SUBMITTED TO:- Smt. Gardi Department of English MKBU

4. Table of contents Introduction Existentialism in Contemporary Bollywood Vladimir and Estragon: A Comparative Study Similar characters in Bollywood Films Conclusion

5. 1. Introduction of Existentialism:- > According to Merriam Webster, a chiefly 20th century philosophical movement embracing diverse doctrines but centering on analysis of individual existence in an unfathomable universe and the plight of the individual who must assume ultimate responsibility for acts of free will without any certain knowledge of what is right or wrong or good or bad. (“Existentialism Definition & Meaning”)

6. # Existential elements in ‘Waiting for Godot’:- Existential literature explores man's essential misery, sorrow, and the meaning of existence. "Waiting for Godot" is rich in existential elements, depicting characters grappling with loneliness and the problem of death. The play defends individual freedom of choice, as seen in the character's ' decision to wait for an unclear figure, Mr. Godot. Time in the play reflects the characters' mental state, with Vladimir and Estragon struggling with boredom and the slowness of time passing. Despite their efforts to kill time, the characters remain frustrated and hopeless in their pitiable existence. Characters grapple with the meaninglessness of their existence despite continuing to live.

7. > Example,... (Estragon and Vladimir, choose to wait for a Mr. Godot whose identity is unclear to them. Estragon talks about his incapability and ignorance to recognize Mr. Godot.), He says, “personally I wouldn’t know him if I ever saw him”. (Estragon and Vladimir have chosen waiting.) Vladimir says, “He didn’t say for sure he’d come.” Estragon : “let’s go !” Vladimir : “ We Can’t” Estragon : “Why not?” Vladimir : “We’re waiting for Godot.”

8. #Introduction of Samuel Beckett:- Name: Samuel Beckett Birth: April 13?, 1906, Foxrock, County Dublin, Ireland Death: De cember 22, 1989, Paris, France Occupation: Author, critic, playwright Notable Achievements: -Winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1969 - Known for writing in both French and English - Best known for his play "En attendant Godot" (1952; Waiting for Godot) (Esslin)

9. 2. Existentialism in Contemporary Bollywood:- Indian Hindi film industry, which is popularly known as ‘Bollywood’, is very old and producing great number of films. There are many appreciative movies, but to find a philosophical and highly intellectual movie is still very difficult. Existentialism is a modern foreign concept, so Indian movies representing this concept are rare and unique. Here are some selected Hindi movies like, - Ankhon Dekhi(2014) -Dil Dosti Etc,(2007) -The Epilogue(2013) in which existential themes and concepts are presented.

10. 3. Vladimir and Estragon: A Comparative Study:-

11. Characteristics Vladimir Estragon Appearance Taller,Thin,Clean shaven Shorter,Unshaven Personality More intellectual, optimistic Simple-minded, pessimistic Speech Eloquent, philosophical Shorter sentences, less articulate Relationship with others More social, tries to maintain a sense of purpose More passive, follows Vladimir’s lead,easily influenced Attitude towards Waiting for Godot Believes in the possibility of Godot’s a rrival More skeptical about Godot’s existence Physical Actions More energetic More lethargic Emotional Resilience Appears more stable emotionally,provides comfort to Estragon Exhibits emotional vulnerability,seeks reassurance from Vladimir

12. 4. Similar Characters in Bollywood films:- >Here are some examples of Bollywood Film’s characters which are partially related with the characters of Vladimir and Estragon,... Munnabhai M.B.B.S.(2003)

13. “Munnabhai and Circuit” Munnabhai experiences an identity crisis by posing as a medical student to please his father. Ethical dilemmas arise as Munnabhai and Circuit engage in questionable practices to assist patients. Emotional challenges surface as both characters confront the consequences of their actions and deception. Guilt and remorse weigh heavily on Munnabhai as he forms genuine connections in the medical field.

14. 2. Sholay (1975)

15. In "Sholay," the main characters Jai and Veeru face existential crises, akin to Vladimir and Estragon from "Waiting for Godot": Existential Crisis: Jai and Veeru, like Vladimir and Estragon, grapple with the meaninglessness of their lives and the futility of their actions in a chaotic world. Search for Purpose: Similar to Vladimir and Estragon waiting for Godot, Jai and Veeru embark on a quest for purpose, whether it's in their friendship, their adventures, or their eventual confrontation with the antagonist. Isolation and Despair: Both pairs experience moments of isolation and despair, questioning their choices and the inevitability of their fate. Bond of Friendship: Despite their existential struggles, Jai and Veeru, like Vladimir and Estragon, find solace and strength in their deep bond of friendship, which becomes a central pillar in their journey.

16. 5. Conclusion:- Bollywood characters like Munnabhai, Circuit, Jai, and Veeru mirror Samuel Beckett's archetypes, embodying existential themes amid societal constraints and they also navigate life's absurdity with humor and camaraderie, grappling with existential questions. Jai and Veeru, like Vladimir and Estragon, face a seemingly futile struggle against external forces, yet their loyalty serves as a beacon of hope. Through these characters, Bollywood reflects the universal human experience of grappling with existential dilemmas. The comparison sheds light on the enduring relevance of existential themes in contemporary cinema, offering audiences a lens for contemplating the human condition.

17. # References:- Esslin, Martin J. “Samuel Beckett | Irish Playwright & Nobel Laureate.” Britannica , 29 March 2024, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Samuel-Beckett . Accessed 5 April 2024. “Existentialism Definition & Meaning.” Merriam-Webster , 18 March 2024, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/existentialism. Accessed 6 April 2024. Hirani, Rajkumar, director. Munnabhai M.B.B.S. 2003. Kapoor, Rajat, director. Ankhon Dekhi . Mithya Talkies Drishyam Films, 2014. Meena, Mukesh Kumar. EXISTENTIALISM IN SAMUEL BECKETT’S WAITING FOR GODOT: AN ANALYSIS , vol. 04, July - September, 2022,, p. 4, https://www.inspirajournals.com/uploads/Issues/1627056933.pdf. Sippy, Ramesh , director. Sholay . 15 August 1975. Tiwary, Manish, director. Dil Dosti Etc . Prakash Jha Productions, 2007.