lemonde.fr
Rise of Nationalist Cinema in India: Propaganda or Cultural Shift?
Recent Indian films like "The Kashmir Files" and "The Kerala Story" are using historical events and contemporary issues to promote a Hindu nationalist agenda, raising concerns about their impact on Indian society and global perception.
- How do these films manipulate historical events to promote a specific ideology?
- These films present simplified, often misleading, versions of historical events. For example, "The Bengal Files" depicts the 1946 Calcutta riots as a Muslim conspiracy, while "Chhaava" glorifies Sambhaji Maharaj through a Hindu nationalist lens, omitting historical complexities. This selective portrayal of history fuels existing biases and promotes a particular political agenda.
- What is the impact of the recent surge in nationalistic films on Indian politics and society?
- The rise of nationalistic films in India has led to increased political polarization and amplified communal tensions. Films like "The Kashmir Files," supported by Prime Minister Modi, have been used as tools for political mobilization, even receiving tax exemptions and government-sponsored viewings. This has resulted in a distortion of historical events and a reinforcement of biased narratives.
- What are the potential long-term consequences of this trend on India's cultural influence and global image?
- The promotion of nationalistic narratives through cinema could negatively impact India's global image, portraying a distorted view of its diverse society and history. This trend undermines the pluralistic artistic heritage of Indian cinema, replacing it with ideologically driven content that risks alienating international audiences and fostering misunderstandings of India's complex reality.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the rise of nationalist films in Indian cinema as a worrying trend, highlighting their simplistic narratives and ideological manipulation of historical events. The focus on box office success (The Kashmir Files) and government support (Modi's endorsement, tax exemptions) reinforces this negative framing. Conversely, the portrayal of older, more socially conscious films is presented positively, contrasting the current trend with a past era of humanist and egalitarian cinema.
Language Bias
While the article maintains a relatively neutral tone, the choice of words like "simplistic," "ideological manipulation," and "worrying" subtly conveys a negative bias against the nationalist films. The description of The Kerala Story as "imagin[ing]" events suggests a lack of factual basis, further influencing reader perception. More neutral alternatives could include 'reductive,' 'partisan presentation,' and 'concerning trend.'
Bias by Omission
The article omits potential counterarguments or perspectives supporting the nationalist films. It doesn't address potential audience reception or explore the films' artistic merit beyond their ideological content. While acknowledging the historical context of socially conscious cinema, it lacks a balanced representation of contemporary cinematic diversity. The omission of alternative interpretations of the historical events depicted could mislead the reader.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a false dichotomy between the current nationalist films and the older, socially conscious cinema, suggesting a sharp decline in quality and social responsibility. This ignores the potential existence of contemporary films that blend both nationalist themes and social commentary, or that challenge the dominant narratives. The framing implies a simple opposition rather than a complex evolution within Indian cinema.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights the use of film to promote a nationalist agenda, manipulating historical events and amplifying communal tensions. This fuels polarization and undermines social cohesion, directly impacting peace, justice, and strong institutions. The explicit support from the Prime Minister and tax exemptions further indicate a misuse of power and resources to shape narratives, potentially undermining fair and impartial governance.