In recent years, Bollywood has increasingly ventured into politically charged narratives, intertwining real-life events with cinematic storytelling. A prime example is “Article 370,” a film inspired by the Indian government’s controversial decision in 2019 to revoke the autonomy of Indian-administered Kashmir. The film, which casts Kiran Karmarkar as Indian Home Minister Amit Shah, dramatizes the moment the provision was repealed, echoing Shah’s assertion that “All of Kashmir was, is, and will remain a part of India.”
Released in February, “Article 370” has been critiqued by some as a form of propaganda, reflecting the government’s narrative while simplifying complex issues. Despite such criticisms, the film received endorsements from prominent BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and achieved significant box office success, grossing over 1.1 billion rupees globally.
This trend is not isolated. The Hindi film industry has produced several movies in recent years that resonate with the government’s policies, particularly those advocating Hindu nationalist themes. Upcoming releases include “Accident or Conspiracy: Godhra” and “The Sabarmati Report,” both of which revisit the contentious 2002 Gujarat riots, and “Veer Savarkar,” a biopic that praises the Hindu nationalist leader Savarkar while critiquing Mahatma Gandhi.
Critics argue that this wave of films contributes to a new genre that not only supports the ruling party’s ideology but also attempts to rewrite historical narratives. Nandini Ramnath, a film critic at Scroll.in, notes that cinema has been “weaponised for ideology on a scale not seen before,” aiming to craft an alternative history that challenges established facts.
Despite the polarizing nature of these films, directors like Sudipto Sen, who helmed “The Kerala Story,” defend their projects as explorations of “human interest” rather than political propaganda. However, controversies persist, such as the Supreme Court’s order to include a disclaimer in “The Kerala Story,” stating that the film is a fictionalized account without authentic data to support its claims.
As Bollywood continues to produce films that mirror and mold public perception of politics and history, concerns grow about the medium’s impact on India’s cultural and secular fabric. Films like “Samrat Prithviraj” have faced criticism for their historical inaccuracies and sectarian portrayals, pointing to a broader issue of cinema’s role in shaping and skewing historical understanding.
With Bollywood’s significant influence on the Indian psyche, the intersection of reel and real continues to spark debates about the responsibilities of filmmakers in a society marked by deep religious and political divisions. As the industry explores these contentious themes, the enduring impact of its narratives on the nation’s collective consciousness remains a critical concern.