Crying in the cinema? You're not alone

Time of India

3 days ago

'Not everyone is moved to tears by a film, but sometimes, a particular movie or scene mirrors something in your own life'
From 'I was six when I first cried at the movies,' to 'I cried when Renuka Shahane's character died in Hum Aapke Hain Koun ,' all of us can recall an instance when a film left us in tears.
After all, films have a way of disarming us emotionally – watching a character break down on screen often leaves us in tears too. The best part? No one judges – until they do.
When clips of fans bawling their eyes out watching the recently-released Saiyaara went viral, it was also followed by mockery. When did crying at the movies become embarrassing? Writer-director Varun Grover posed a question on X, asking, ' Hamari generation ke aadmi aaj tak 'ek aisi ladki thi jise main pyaar karta tha' sunke rote hain, par aaj kal ke bachche 'saiyyara tu toh badla nahi hai' sunke ro lein toh woh kamzor ho gaye? ' Moviegoers share moments when films – especially on the big screen – left them feeling vulnerable.
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Not everyone is moved to tears by a film, but sometimes, a particular movie or scene mirrors something in your own life'
Prerna, a theatre artist says,'I cry a lot while watching movies and honestly, I'm an emotional person in general. I end up crying over even the smallest things. With films too, I cry first, and only after that can I begin to view them critically.'
Shariq Aziz, a theatre artist says,'I believe crying is a deeply personal response. Not everyone is moved to tears by a film, but sometimes, a particular movie or scene mirrors something in your own life - especially an emotional moment and that's what makes you cry.
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You begin to feel the scene within you, and it pulls you in completely. In cinema, it's a heart-to-heart connection. And it's that connection that draws out the tears.
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Had to unlearn boys don't cry to cry freely at movies'
Sidharth Karnick, actor says,'I remember the first time I almost cried during a film, I was 16, watching Titanic. I wanted to let go, but I stopped myself. Back then, I still subscribed to the old belief that 'boys don't cry.' It's taken years, and the journey of becoming an actor, to unlearn that.
Now, I find comfort in tears - especially in a dark theatre, surrounded by strangers, all moved by the same story. There's something beautifully human about knowing you're not the only one feeling it.
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Naman Narayan, who works for a music company says, 'I think I unlearned crying in school because crying in public meant shame. It was only inside a movie theatre, decades later, that I found space to feel things again. At home, if you're sobbing during a film and a parent or sibling walks in, you get mocked.
But inside a cinema? No one judges you. That's where I learned to cry again.'
Social media is full of videos showing young moviegoers weeping dramatically after watching Saiyaara
'Scenes of grief, patriotism, relatable scenes make viewers cry'
Moviegoers vividly remember the scenes that cracked them open.
Priti Sinha, a film producer says,'I barely cry in real life. But in a movie theatre I often end up crying. I cry a lot in death scenes, and scenes of sacrifice, pride or when there is something patriotic. I teared up during Maidaan. And during The Legend of Bhagat Singh, when they took Bhagat Singh to the gallows, I bawled.
I told Ajay (Devgn) also that those scenes wrecked me.There's something movies do - they dig out an emotion you've tucked away, something even you didn't know was buried.
Then a scene plays out, a character breaks down - and suddenly you're crying your eyes out.'
Vivek Narayan Sharma, Supreme Court lawyer says, 'Some films rattle something inside you. While watching Kesari Chapter 2, I felt it in my bones. Watching Akshay Kumar as C.
Sankaran Nair rise from despair to defiance moved me.I remember being wrecked by Rang De Basanti, shaken by Chak De India, especially when 'Maula mere le le meri jaan' played. That song still stops my heartbeat, not out of sadness, but overwhelming pride.
I remember many instances when I had tears while watching a film.'
The first time I cried was in Hum Aapke Hain Koun when Renuka Shahane's character died: Varun Grover, lyricist and director
'I regularly cry at movies and sometimes it's not even a tragic story. I feel overwhelmed whenever I watch something stunning and get deeply moved by good art.
I cried watching Sinners in theatres too recently. The first time I cried was in Hum Aapke Hain Koun! when Renuka Shahane's character died. I was sad for two days till I saw her alive and happy as herself in Surbhi on Sunday night.'
Loss of someone in a movie because or death or discrimination moves me the most: Onir, director
'I cry a lot at films. I remember crying as a child watching Pather Panchali, Umrao Jaan or watching or Sophie's choice.
I cried a lot while watching Call Me By Your Name. I think loss of someone in a movie because or death or discrimination or separation or misunderstanding moves me the most.'
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