Portrayal of illicit drug use in bollywood movies over the last two decades: A content analysis.

AIM: to analyse Bollywood movies depicting illicit drug use, released in last two decades, based on their content.

METHODOLOGY: Online movie databases, source books and blogs were accessed along with Google search to compile a list of movies portraying illicit drug use in at least one character. Each movie was screened twice for details of character and drug use pattern.

RESULTS

Total 22 movies depicting 25 characters were included in analysis. Majority of characters were male, young, students and affluent. Intoxication was the commonest state and social adversities were most common complications depicted. Treatment seeking was low and most common outcome was death.

CONCLUSION

Cinematic depiction of drug use may promote some misconceptions among viewers. Alignment of cinematization with scientific knowledge is needed.