Examination of Kubler Ross Model of Grief From the Perspective of Bollywood Cinematic Media

Abstract

Aims

Bollywood cinema is one of the largest entertainment industries, catering to a population of more than 1.4 billion people across the world. Social psychiatry faces a challenging relationship with pop culture and understanding such portrayals of mental health culture could be valuable to public mental health. "Goodbye" is a fictional movie depicting various stages of Kubler Ross model of grief following a bereavement.

Methods

AS, AD and PD had structured discussions to analyse themes, social determinants and psychiatric correlations following bereavement in a Bollywood movie called "Goodbye".

Results

“Goodbye” is a well acclaimed Bollywood movie. The story revolves around a family responding to a sudden bereavement of their loved one.

This story clearly depicts individual responses to the incident based on their attachment and psychosocial circumstances. It demonstrates varied responses depending upon their own perception of the processes following bereavement.

In the movie each individual is observed coping with their own roller coaster of emotions and at the same time struggling to fit into the complex demands of the moment.

Even though each individual responded differently it clearly demonstrates each of them going through Kubler Ross stages of grief reaction. It focuses on the psychodynamic makeup of each individual and their response mechanisms.

The movie begins with the daughter getting the news of her mother's death and immediately going into shock/denial. It is followed by anger which she directs towards her father for following the rituals around death in a Hindu culture. She challenges the practice of lighting the funeral pyre only by the sons. She reminisces telling her mother that once she dies she will get all her jewellery and displays guilt around this, leading to significantly low mood and bargaining as well. Once they are in the process of finishing all the rituals she comes to terms with her mother's death and reconciles with her father, showing acceptance.

The cultural milieu plays a strong role in various responses to bereavement. The family follows various Hindu rituals for 13 days, which helped them stick to each other's side and reach the stage of acceptance following the death of a daughter, a sister, a wife and a mother.

Conclusion

This movie beautifully exemplifies how grief is a universal concept even in various socio-cultural backgrounds. It is a good study for anyone interested in understanding grief through a cultural medium. It demonstrates the importance of support network in tiding over significant life events.