Do you watch the movies that you comment on?

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Do you watch the movies you comment on?

Hare Krishna. You’ve asked if I watch the movies that I comment on. The answer is: it depends. My primary purpose is to respond to the relevant issues or concerns that a movie raises—particularly those that intersect with spiritual, ethical, or philosophical themes.

For example, I’ve written two books on movies that were Bollywood satires on religion: “OMG” and “PK” (around 2011 and 2014 respectively). These movies raised several pointed questions—some logical, but many were sweeping generalizations or even direct accusations against religion. Initially, I tried to answer these questions without watching the movies, but I soon realized that many of those questions were not just intellectual—they were interwoven with an emotional narrative that gave them impact.

So, after consulting with senior devotees on whether it was appropriate, I decided to watch those particular movies. The goal was to ensure my responses would be both logically sound and emotionally relevant.

However, for other films—where the issues raised aren’t as deeply philosophical—watching the movie is not necessary. For instance, I’ve commented on Baahubali and RRR, primarily in terms of how they depict themes from Indian tradition.

For such reflections:

• I rely on detailed reviews,
• I read the plot summaries on Wikipedia, and
• I speak with friends or family members who regularly watch movies to get a sense of the emotional tone.

I don’t consider my comments to be “reviews” in the conventional sense. A movie review typically covers visuals, acting, cinematography, direction, and more. Since those are not directly relevant to my spiritual reflections, I don’t delve into them.

Watching selectively when needed:

Recently, I commented on The Kashmir Files. That is a movie I did watch, because it wasn’t just raising abstract questions—it presented a deeply human and emotional story, highlighting real threats to dharma in today’s world. That made it worth watching and responding to.

My personal preference:

I am naturally a verbal rather than visual person. If given the choice between reading a book and watching a movie, I would much prefer reading. Even when it comes to understanding movies, I’d rather read the script or screenplay than watch the film.

Even with documentaries, I usually watch with two screens open so I can type notes and reflections simultaneously. I find watching movies quite passive, whereas books engage my intelligence and imagination—allowing me to construct the world through the words.

In contrast, movies create a predefined world—crafted by the director and production team—and I find simply consuming that world to be less intellectually and spiritually engaging, and at times even distracting.

When do I choose to comment on a movie?

My purpose is to highlight spiritual insights or Vedic connections. Only when necessary will I watch the movie. Otherwise, I gather relevant information and offer reflections based on that.

As a matter of principle, I believe that we should all strive to spiritualize our consciousness. Different people are distracted by different things, and just because someone else is doing something doesn’t make it right for us. We should always ask:

• What is the effect of this on my consciousness?
• Is this helping or hindering my spiritual growth?

Before I began this service of movie commentary, I consulted with senior devotees to whom I am regularly accountable. Based on their guidance, I determine when and how to offer such reflections.

Spiritual perspective is key:

Krishna consciousness is not binary—not simply black or white. Krishna can be seen everywhere. As I’ve mentioned in some talks, Srila Prabhupada once saw a Charlie Chaplin film at an airport and appreciated it as a spark of Krishna’s vibhuti—his splendor manifesting through humor.

So yes, Krishna can be seen everywhere, but the more important question is:

“Do we need to look for Krishna in places where we’re more likely to forget Him?”

Hence, our focus should primarily be on seeing Krishna directly—through scripture, in temples, and in the association of devotees. Yet, since we live in the world, we can’t close our eyes to its realities. Instead, we can offer some spiritual pointers to help people see Krishna in the world around them—even in popular media.

A historical parallel:

In earlier times, movies weren’t common, but devotees associated with The Guardian journal used to review contemporary books from a spiritual perspective. This was a way to engage with society, understand what people were reading, and offer insights to connect it to higher truths.

Similarly, my reflections on movies aim to help today’s seekers connect what they’re watching with timeless spiritual wisdom.

So, in summary:

I do not need to watch most movies to comment on them.
If watching is required, I do so cautiously, and only after consultation.

Thank you.