Movie based on books: The battle for our imagination

Storytelling has evolved many times since the beginning of civilization. There are countless ways to tell a story, from the dog-eared pages of a favourite classic book to the silver screen. In this ever-growing field of entertainment, a timeless debate continues: between the tactile charm of a well-worn book and the captivating spectacle of its on-screen adaptation, which significantly impacts our collective imagination more. Both areas are self-respecting. As it is said, a good book equals 100 good friends.

Similarly, a great screenplay can change your life in hours. Author Stephen King, known as the 'King of Horror,' once said, 'Books and movies are like apples and oranges. They both are fruits, but they taste completely different.'

A book describes a story in such detail that a movie would require much detailing to flesh it out entirely. In this case, the filmmakers can shape their film and highlight the story. The author's vision enhances comprehension and stimulates brain function by uniquely engaging the imagination. But what is shown in a movie, we are forced to watch.

So, is watching the movie without reading the book a waste of time? Not at all. A movie grabs a viewer's attention much faster than a book. Finishing a book takes three days, five days, or even a week, but a movie can be completed in only two to three hours. Most teenagers today prefer screen adaptations of classic books over reading them. Films provide an invaluable form of entertainment, offering a delightful respite from the everyday hustle and bustle.

Tabassum Haque, a student of BUET, loves to read books and gives analytical reviews. She said, "While reading a favourite book, I keep imagining which actor and actress would suit which character. Sometimes I feel very disappointed when I can't match the characters of the movie made according to my imagination. The next time I think of the novel, only the faces of the film's characters come to my mind. The faces of my imagination disappear."

The movie's popularity is more significant than the original book's; there is no less precedent. Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and Game of Thrones have great adventures, attacks, magic spells, and thrills. If you don't see the story, a lot of the story would have gone down. 

Even in Bangladesh, Humayun Ahmed has created a revolutionary field in literature and film by making serials and films based on his famous novels. 

Sarowar Rafi, a Journalism student at Cumilla University, is interested in literature and films. He says, "Both books and movies are preferable to me. The journey of making a movie from a book will not be the same. Accept it and watch the movie. What matters is whether or not the essence of the original story is appearing in a movie or series. But I would definitely choose book if asked to choose between book and film."

It is pretty challenging to pick one. We will see how the two approaches to storytelling are related if we discuss the most well-known book, "Pather Panchali" by Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay and the film adaptation of the same name by Satyajit Ray. Those who have read the book and watched the movie are welcome to weigh in on who they think would be a better fit for Apu and Durga. The typical face of a rustic milieu we read about in the novel isn't different from the movie's. Didn't we feel the same about our upbringing in the little village we left behind with that character? Or who could be a better match than Chunibala Devi's character, Indir Thakron (The old sister of Apu's father)? Didn't we depict an image like her while reading the novel?

Instead of debating good and evil, we should consider how these practices can be more expansive and palatable. Let these two activities be on the list of our favourite hobbies. Let reading books and watching movies become the accompaniment of nurturing the mind, enriching social life, and pursuing leisure.

[email protected]