“At a time when cinema is shaping public opinion, it is crucial to uphold the principles of artistic freedom and integrity so as not to risk sacrificing the soul of Bollywood on the altar of political expediency”
Rohinee Singh*
The nexus between Bollywood and Indian politics has long been a subject of intrigue and debate. But using films for electioneering purposes is a new phenomenon that came on the scene when Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government took office.
It was “Uri: The Surgical Strike” that was released ahead of the 2019 general elections, and it was part of the campaign that was then aimed at teaching Pakistan a lesson. Five years later, now in 2024, it is “Article 370” that is meant to remind people that Modi tamed the Kashmiris in August 2019.
The film “Uri: The Surgical Strike” captivated audiences with its depiction of a military operation against Pakistan and resonated strongly with Modi’s nationalist campaign. The film’s success was praised by Finance Minister Piyush Goyal during an interim budget session, indicating its potential impact on voter sentiment.
A poster of the film “URI: The Surgical Strike”
Now, the thriller “Article 370” dramatises the controversial revocation of Kashmir’s special status, a move strongly advocated by Modi himself. However, the film’s overtly political message has drawn criticism, accusing the government of misusing cinema as political leverage.
“Article 370″ centres on two strong female characters navigating the complexities of counter-terrorism in Kashmir. The narrative is carried by two strong female characters. A female intelligence officer, portrayed by Yami Gautam, who navigates through the complexities of counter-terrorism in Kashmir, hampered by the autonomous status of the region, and Priyamani Swaminathan, who plays a smart and calm senior bureaucrat in the Prime Minister’s Office. Although the film supports the government’s reasons for revoking Article 370, it has been criticised for its skewed historical perspective and overlooking wider implications.
The film delves into a series of events in Kashmir, from the Pulwama attack in which more than 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed, to the unrest that ensued after the clash with Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, to the Indian Home Minister’s fiery speech in Parliament and the government’s action to revoke Article 370 in Kashmir on 5 August 2019. In August 2019, Modi being lauded for his conviction and success in abolishing the constitutional provision that none of his predecessors dared to tackle.
The film even confirms and justifies the controversial 2017 incident in Kashmir when an Indian Army Major tied a person in front of his service jeep and used it as a human shield against stone throwers. In reality, the Major was found guilty in an enquiry, but the film glorified the incident and garnered applause from the audience.
A poster of film, “Do Bigha Zameen”
Critics argue that such politically charged cinema represents a departure from Bollywood’s earlier ethos of combining entertainment with social commentary. Films like “Do Bigha Zameen” and “Mother India” reflected the post-independence challenges, while patriotic songs reinforced national morale. In recent years, however, films have increasingly become factual propaganda tools, closely aligned to the government’s agenda.
The success of films like “Article 370” underlines the Indian audience’s susceptibility to blurring the lines between reality and fiction. This trend, coupled with the fear of upsetting the government or the public, has led Bollywood to toe the Hindutva line and jeopardise artistic integrity and freedom.
Veteran journalist Yogesh Pawar sheds light on the industry’s shift from thought-provoking cinema to one that promotes blind faith and unquestioning citizens. The intersection of politics and cinema raises critical questions about the role of art in society and the balance between creative expression and political influence.
A poster of film, “Mother India”
In this complex landscape, it is imperative to distinguish between entertainment and propaganda and maintain the integrity of storytelling in Bollywood. While films like “Article 370” may resonate with some, their impact on public discourse and community relations cannot be underestimated, highlighting the need for a more nuanced and responsible approach to film-making.
At a time when cinema is shaping public opinion, it is crucial to uphold the principles of artistic freedom and integrity, lest we risk sacrificing the soul of Bollywood on the altar of political expediency.
*Rohinee Singh is a journalist based in New Delhi and a regular contributor to the German broadcaster DW, The Wire (Urdu) and The Friday Times. She can be reached at rohinee17@gmail.com
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Cinematic Landscape: Artistic Expression or Political Propaganda?
“At a time when cinema is shaping public opinion, it is crucial to uphold the principles of artistic freedom and integrity so as not to risk sacrificing the soul of Bollywood on the altar of political expediency”
Rohinee Singh*
The nexus between Bollywood and Indian politics has long been a subject of intrigue and debate. But using films for electioneering purposes is a new phenomenon that came on the scene when Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government took office.
It was “Uri: The Surgical Strike” that was released ahead of the 2019 general elections, and it was part of the campaign that was then aimed at teaching Pakistan a lesson. Five years later, now in 2024, it is “Article 370” that is meant to remind people that Modi tamed the Kashmiris in August 2019.
The film “Uri: The Surgical Strike” captivated audiences with its depiction of a military operation against Pakistan and resonated strongly with Modi’s nationalist campaign. The film’s success was praised by Finance Minister Piyush Goyal during an interim budget session, indicating its potential impact on voter sentiment.
Now, the thriller “Article 370” dramatises the controversial revocation of Kashmir’s special status, a move strongly advocated by Modi himself. However, the film’s overtly political message has drawn criticism, accusing the government of misusing cinema as political leverage.
“Article 370″ centres on two strong female characters navigating the complexities of counter-terrorism in Kashmir. The narrative is carried by two strong female characters. A female intelligence officer, portrayed by Yami Gautam, who navigates through the complexities of counter-terrorism in Kashmir, hampered by the autonomous status of the region, and Priyamani Swaminathan, who plays a smart and calm senior bureaucrat in the Prime Minister’s Office. Although the film supports the government’s reasons for revoking Article 370, it has been criticised for its skewed historical perspective and overlooking wider implications.
The film delves into a series of events in Kashmir, from the Pulwama attack in which more than 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed, to the unrest that ensued after the clash with Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, to the Indian Home Minister’s fiery speech in Parliament and the government’s action to revoke Article 370 in Kashmir on 5 August 2019. In August 2019, Modi being lauded for his conviction and success in abolishing the constitutional provision that none of his predecessors dared to tackle.
The film even confirms and justifies the controversial 2017 incident in Kashmir when an Indian Army Major tied a person in front of his service jeep and used it as a human shield against stone throwers. In reality, the Major was found guilty in an enquiry, but the film glorified the incident and garnered applause from the audience.
Critics argue that such politically charged cinema represents a departure from Bollywood’s earlier ethos of combining entertainment with social commentary. Films like “Do Bigha Zameen” and “Mother India” reflected the post-independence challenges, while patriotic songs reinforced national morale. In recent years, however, films have increasingly become factual propaganda tools, closely aligned to the government’s agenda.
The success of films like “Article 370” underlines the Indian audience’s susceptibility to blurring the lines between reality and fiction. This trend, coupled with the fear of upsetting the government or the public, has led Bollywood to toe the Hindutva line and jeopardise artistic integrity and freedom.
Veteran journalist Yogesh Pawar sheds light on the industry’s shift from thought-provoking cinema to one that promotes blind faith and unquestioning citizens. The intersection of politics and cinema raises critical questions about the role of art in society and the balance between creative expression and political influence.
In this complex landscape, it is imperative to distinguish between entertainment and propaganda and maintain the integrity of storytelling in Bollywood. While films like “Article 370” may resonate with some, their impact on public discourse and community relations cannot be underestimated, highlighting the need for a more nuanced and responsible approach to film-making.
At a time when cinema is shaping public opinion, it is crucial to uphold the principles of artistic freedom and integrity, lest we risk sacrificing the soul of Bollywood on the altar of political expediency.
*Rohinee Singh is a journalist based in New Delhi and a regular contributor to the German broadcaster DW, The Wire (Urdu) and The Friday Times. She can be reached at rohinee17@gmail.com
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