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Is watching movies immoral according to Hinduism? Please provide reference to scriptures. If not then what kind of movies are permitted?

EDIT: I meant to ask references to scriptures which talk about drama or dance since the scriptures do not talk about movies per se.

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    In 19's, they started making movies whereas Scriptures were written in ancient time. How we are supposed to find a reference in them? We may find commentaries from recent Acharya though.
    – TheLittleNaruto
    Jun 29, 2020 at 11:07
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    Hindu scriptures don't mention about movies but can you explain why watching movies would be immoral? Are you talking about pornographic movies? BTW welcome to site :)
    – Rickross
    Jun 29, 2020 at 11:11
  • @TheLittleNaruto I agree that there were no movies back then but dramas and live theater were present at that time, so I was hoping to find some indirect reference in the scriptures, which would give a hint on this issue. Jun 29, 2020 at 12:33
  • @Rickross I am talking about movies in general. In today's culture binge watching movies is quite common so I think doing that would be wrong because in my personal experience my mind becomes restless and unstable after watching a normal movie. Jun 29, 2020 at 12:37
  • @SriramGoutamP Then you may want to update your question accordingly.
    – TheLittleNaruto
    Jun 29, 2020 at 14:09

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Movies are modern day version of entertainment programmes, replacing drama enacted on a stage, singing by musicians, dances, etc.

Even earlier days, people used to had entertainment in the ways that are popular in those days. People were described to have entertainment in various methods, be it hunting, listening to music, etc.

Some people used to have alcoholic drinks also.


It was described in Ramayana that Bharata's friends tried to cheer him up, after he had experienced bad omens with regard to his father Dasaratha on the previous night, by arranging various types of entertainments.

This indicate that having entertainment is a part of life of ordinary people. Nothing wrong in having entertainment, provided that is in limits.

प्यमानम् समाज्ञाय वयस्याः प्रिय वादिनः | आयासम् हि विनेष्यन्तः सभायाम् चक्रिरे कथाः || २-६९-३

Knowing Bharata to have been in anguish, his graceful speaking friends arranged recitation of stories in the palace; so as to erase his anguish.

वादयन्ति तथा शान्तिम् लासयन्ति अपि च अपरे | नाटकानि अपरे प्राहुर् हास्यानि विविधानि च || २-६९-४

Some played musical instruments for bringing about peacefulness. Likewise some others arranged for exhibition of dramas and some others told various types of jokes.

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