Muzaffar Choudhary
Within the realm of Bollywood, the place a penchant for unoriginal, uninspiring, and infrequently distasteful content material prevails, it’s straightforward to miss the trade’s colossal significance.
Because the world’s largest movie trade by any metric, Bollywood not solely shapes India’s nationwide id but in addition molds the worldwide neighborhood’s notion of the nation.
Its movies function a brief escape for over 400 million individuals in India grappling with the tough actuality of residing on lower than $3.20 a day.
But, amidst the glitz and glamour, media literacy—a necessary instrument for critically evaluating media merchandise corresponding to motion pictures—is notably absent among the many lots.
This absence makes Bollywood a possible propaganda machine, able to disseminating misinformation and reinforcing false narratives. The Modi regime, particularly, has skillfully harnessed Bollywood’s affect, turning it right into a compliant instrument.
A obtrusive instance of this synergy is the movie “PM Narendra Modi,” a current biopic that transcends conventional cinematic boundaries.
Unprecedented in its glorification of a sitting prime minister, particularly one with solely a single time period in workplace, the movie chronicles Modi’s journey from a humble chaiwala (roadside tea vendor) to his non secular sojourns within the Himalayas and ascent inside the BJP ranks.
Critics have lambasted the movie for shamelessly weaving heroic moments into Modi’s life that by no means occurred, omitting precise occasions corresponding to his marriage and subsequent abandonment of his spouse, and strategically positioning his adversaries as Pakistan, the information media, and a dark-skinned Indian from the south.
Most controversially, the movie shifts blame for the 2002 Gujarat massacres away from Modi’s alleged hatefulness and incompetence, as a substitute pinning accountability on his opposition whereas positioning him because the hero.
Launched strategically simply weeks earlier than the 2019 elections, the movie confronted criticism from the Election Fee of India, which deemed it propaganda—an accusation that Modi’s BJP thought of unfair and contested.
On this intricate dance between Bollywood and politics, the stage is about for a story that goes past leisure—a story that shapes public opinion, influences elections, and blurs the road between fiction and actuality.
As we discover the escalating Islamophobia in Bollywood, it turns into crucial to acknowledge the trade’s twin function: a fascinating escape for a lot of, and a potent instrument within the fingers of those that search to mildew public notion to their benefit.
My essay goals to discover the regarding trajectory of Islamophobia inside Bollywood, delving into key situations and their profound implications.
The Silent Exodus: Muslims Vanishing from the Script:
Bollywood, a traditionally wealthy tapestry of cultures, has taken an sudden flip, witnessing the conspicuous absence of Muslims from outstanding roles.
Whether or not as comedians or facet characters, their sudden disappearance has cultivated a palpable sense of alienation inside the Muslim neighborhood. Nevertheless, this exclusion goes past mere oversight; it’s deeply intertwined with a silent romanticization of Islamophobia, perpetuated by motion pictures like ‘Padmavat,’ ‘Lipstick below my Burqa,’ ‘Tanjahi,’ ‘The Kashmir Information,’ and ‘Ham Do Humare Do.’
The Kashmir Information: A Watershed Second in Aggravating Islamophobia:
The yr 2022 marked a big escalation in Islamophobic content material creation inside Hindi cinema, epitomized by motion pictures like ‘The Kashmir Information.’ On the floor, the movie claimed to spotlight the sufferings of Kashmiri Pandits however, in actuality, fallaciously misrepresented the Muslim neighborhood.
Its discernible anti-Muslim agenda stirred intensive nationwide and worldwide consideration, inciting hate speeches and potential threats of violence in opposition to Muslims in public locations.
This landmark movie not solely showcased the prevalence of divisive politics but in addition uncovered the trade’s willingness to capitalize on communal sentiments for monetary positive factors.
The political endorsement, together with reward from the Prime Minister, additional fueled right-wing sentiments and inspired the manufacturing of comparable divisive content material. Even seemingly unrelated movies like ‘Brahmastra’ capitalized on hyperbolic portrayals to ring a bell with the lots.
The Kerala Story and Commercialization of Hatred:
Amidst this tumultuous panorama, ‘The Kerala Story’ stands as one other disturbing chapter, portraying a Keralite girl coerced into changing to Islam and taking part in terrorism.
This blatant try at flagbearer anti-Muslim propaganda provides gasoline to the already blazing fireplace of Islamophobia.
The movie highlights the commercialization of hatred inside the trade, revealing how Islamophobic narratives have develop into a profitable choice within the Indian leisure panorama.
This upcoming movie highlights the commercialization of hatred inside the trade. Behind the rise of such content material lies a grim actuality – Islamophobic narratives have develop into a profitable choice within the Indian leisure trade.
Hate has develop into a foreign money, traded and fed at a big scale by politicians, businessmen, media homes, and most of the people.
Affect on Society:
The repercussions of rising Islamophobia inside Bollywood prolong past the display screen. In an atmosphere the place Indian Muslim girls are already grappling with challenges to their primary rights, movies like ‘The Kerala Story’ exacerbate prejudices and stereotypes, hindering the free follow of faith.
Moreover, the portrayal of Muslim males as radical monsters contributes to a distorted narrative that additional deepens communal divisions.
The leisure trade, as a robust agent of change, holds immense accountability in contributing to societal concord.
Nevertheless, its present trajectory appears to disregard the potential penalties of disseminating egregious content material. The shortage of intervention from authorities, together with the censor board, raises questions on their complicity in permitting the unfold of hatred.
Reclaiming Bollywood’s Cultural Legacy:
Amidst this difficult panorama, reclaiming Bollywood’s cultural legacy turns into crucial. The trade has traditionally celebrated variety and inclusivity, transcending boundaries of faith, caste, and creed.
The golden period witnessed iconic motion pictures like “Mom India,” “Mughal-E-Azam,” and “Garam Hawa,” which showcased the great thing about Indian Muslim tradition and the harmonious coexistence of various communities.
To reverse the present development, a number of key actions should be taken. Filmmakers needs to be inspired to collaborate with specialists, students, and neighborhood representatives to make sure correct and empathetic portrayals of Muslim characters.
Movie faculties and trade associations ought to promote variety and inclusion by workshops, seminars, and tips for filmmakers. Manufacturing homes ought to actively put money into tasks that remember spiritual concord and problem stereotypes.
Lastly, viewers ought to help motion pictures that promote inclusivity and keep away from people who perpetuate hate.
The deep-rooted enmity and hatred depicted in movies like ‘The Kashmir Information’ and ‘The Kerala Story’ sign a regarding development in impartial India. Bollywood, as soon as celebrated for its cultural unity, is now a battleground for the dissemination of divisive narratives.
Pressing steps should be taken to reverse this trajectory, together with accountable filmmaking, trade tips, and energetic viewers engagement.
Solely by such collective efforts can Bollywood reclaim its place as a unifying power, contributing to a harmonious and progressive society. The time for speedy change is now.
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