NewKerala.com

Zeenat Aman Reveals Why Climate Crisis Has Been 'Ignored' in Indian Storytelling

Zeenat Aman feels climate awareness has been largely ignored in India's storytelling traditions despite its urgency. She's narrating "Embers of Hope," a 10-part documentary series addressing critical environmental issues. The veteran actress believes young people have the desire to protect the planet but need proper guidance and information. She emphasizes that collective action across different environmental spheres can still make a difference despite the looming crisis.

Key Points: Zeenat Aman Says Climate Ignored in India's Storytelling Traditions

  • Zeenat believes youth want to lead environmental action but need guidance
  • She emphasizes documentaries provide crucial information for climate awareness
  • The actress warns we're on the brink of disaster without collective action
  • Her documentary explores critical themes from global warming to biodiversity loss
3 min read

Zeenat Aman says climate has been 'ignored' in storytelling traditions

Veteran actress Zeenat Aman discusses why climate awareness has been overlooked in Indian storytelling and her new documentary series "Embers of Hope" for Discovery.

Zeenat Aman says climate has been 'ignored' in storytelling traditions
"I'm sorry to say that climate, the planet, the Earth... I think this whole subject has been ignored. - Zeenat Aman"

New Delhi, Nov 18

Yesteryear diva Zeenat Aman Zeenat Aman feels India’s storytelling traditions have largely overlooked the climate crisis, despite the escalating threats facing the planet.

Calling climate awareness “a very, very relevant subject,” Zeenat, who is narrating a compelling 10-part documentary series christened “Embers of Hope: The Fight for Our Future” for the Discovery channels, said that the crisis has been ignored for far too long.

Asked having lived through eras of transformation, how does she think the environment has featured or been ignored in India’s storytelling traditions over the years, Zeenat told exclusively to IANS: “I'm sorry to say that climate, the planet, the Earth… I think this whole subject has been ignored.”

“And that's why a documentary like this one is so relevant. It is so relevant because, like I had said earlier, it's not that people don't have compassion… it's that people are not informed. And once they're informed, they have compassion, especially our young people.”

Zeenat Aman strongly believes that the youth have the desire and the potential to lead environmental action, but often lack guidance.

“Our young people want to do something to preserve and protect the planet. They really can lead, you know, in the forefront. The thing is that they just have to know. They just have to be guided. There has to be some guidance.”

According to the veteran actress, documentaries like “Embers of Hope: The Fight for Our Future” play a crucial role by providing accessible and reliable information.

“That's why I think this documentary is just so relevant, because it gives them the information and they can act on this information. Because the planet now doesn't belong to somebody like me… it belongs to young people like you. And they have to preserve it and protect it for all of you. But it's a very, very relevant subject. And the idea is that… look at the larger picture. Because if you don't, you're looking at disaster… absolute disaster.”

Asked what hope means to her in the context of climate change and environmental crisis, Zeenat said: “We're on the brink of disaster, truly. But we can take steps to help the planet.

We can, if we collectively come together and work towards it. All the different spheres that I explained in this documentary …. whether it's our oceans, our forests, our soil, our air, the pollution, the overpopulation, all these things can be addressed. And that is the Ember of Hope.”

Filmed across over 60 locations, each episode explores a critical theme, from global warming, waste and pollution to population balance, water conservation, and biodiversity loss. The series is by Warner Bros. Discovery.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Actually, I disagree slightly. Our ancient texts like Vedas and Puranas have plenty of environmental wisdom. The problem is modern storytelling has lost that connection. We need to revive those traditional values in contemporary media.
A
Anjali F
As a teacher, I see young students are really concerned about climate change. They want to do something but don't know how. Documentaries like this can guide them properly. More power to Zeenat ji for this initiative! 🙏
S
Sarah B
Living in Delhi, I see air pollution every day. It's refreshing to see celebrities using their platform for real issues instead of just promoting products. Hope this documentary reaches masses and creates impact.
V
Vikram M
True that our films ignore environmental themes. Remember how Swades showed water conservation? We need more such subtle messaging in mainstream cinema. Youth today are more aware and ready to act.
K
Karthik V
While I appreciate the sentiment, I wish she had acknowledged some recent Bollywood films that did touch upon environmental issues. But overall, her point stands - we need much more climate awareness in our stories. The documentary sounds promising!

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50