Decoding Muslim Portrayals in Indian Cinema: A Deep Dive

OutlookIndia

Explore the complex dynamics of Muslim representation in Indian cinema. This video delves into the stereotypes and narratives that Bollywood has crafted around Muslim characters. We’ll examine how cinema, a powerful medium for shaping public opinion, has influenced perceptions of Muslims in India. We’ll also discuss the role of cinema in defining nationhood and how it often equates ‘Indianness’ with ‘Hinduness’. Join us as we navigate the intricate interplay of cinema and society, and its impact on our understanding of identity and belonging.  #Cinema #Hollywood #Bollywood #FilmHistory #MovieAnalysis  Read Article: https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/the-othering-of-muslims-in-indian-cinema  Follow us: Website: https://www.outlookindia.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Outlookindia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outlookindia/ X: https://twitter.com/Outlookindia Whatsapp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaNrF3v0AgWLA6OnJH0R Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@OutlookMagazine Dailymotion: https://www.dailymotion.com/outlookindia

Transcript

00:00 Outlook brings to you excerpts from its latest issue titled Cinema Politico.

00:06 The issue explores politics and cinema and the ever blurring lines between the two.

00:12 Ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha elections, a slew of propaganda movies have hit the big screen and OTT platforms amid much criticism and approach,

00:22 while many more films are slated to release in the coming weeks stirring even a bigger debate.

00:28 The latest issue of Outlook looks at the genre of nationalist and propaganda films in the Indian context

00:35 and also continues with the exploration of the ideology question in the context of upcoming general elections.

00:42 Both themes are contextual and linked in many ways.

00:47 Cut, Copy, Paste by Hazara Najib, a student of Development Studies with interest in the intersection of gender, development and minority rights.

00:57 She looks at popular cinema's ability to intrude the mass psyche also visible in India,

01:03 where cricket and Bollywood determine how we think and act.

01:08 It has also determined the idea of nation and nationhood.

01:13 Representation of Muslim characters in Indian cinema has been limited.

01:17 They are either terrorists or glorified individuals who have no substance other than fixed ideas of patriotism.

01:25 One of the most persistent questions when discussing the interplay of cinema and society is who influences whom,

01:32 whether the movies merely reflect the already existing socio-political narratives or they play a role in forming their narratives.

01:40 However, this question does not deny that cinema influences viewers, shapes narratives and forms opinions.

01:49 Cinema indeed can be considered the most potent tool in opinion formation.

01:54 A fact very well known to Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels,

01:59 who used it as a medium for the propagation of Nazi ideas and the genocide of Jews in Germany.

02:07 Popular cinema's ability to intrude on the mass psyche is also visible in India,

02:12 where cricket and Bollywood determine how we think and act.

02:16 It has determined our idea of nation and nationhood.

02:20 Showcasing characters that an Indian wishes to be.

02:24 However, Bollywood's idea of nationhood often replaced Indianness with Hinduness.

02:30 They often resorted to homogenizing the nationhood using one religion by excluding another.

02:37 This exclusionary practice against Muslims in Bollywood did not start with the rule of the BJP.

02:43 It became more direct with their rule.

02:45 The various symbols, stereotypes and situations employed in Bollywood movies

02:50 constantly attempted to other the Muslims, thereby reinforcing Hindu nationalist agendas.

02:56 The terrorist, the patriot and the veiled Muslim woman.

03:00 There has been a significant change in the representation of Muslims in Bollywood cinema

03:05 since the period of post-liberalization.

03:08 The Surma-lined eyes of the Nawabs were replaced with the bloodshot eyes of the terrorists.

03:14 There were, most importantly, three main stereotypes surrounding Muslims in post-liberalization Indian cinema.

03:21 The first and the most popular one was that of the terrorist.

03:25 Since 26/11, there has been a string of movies that discuss India's defense and security

03:31 and the danger that came from one group, the Muslims.

03:35 These characters are often found with a skull cap and a tasbih at their hand,

03:40 spewing venom at India and Indians.

03:43 They are shown to be speaking in Urdu and chanting 'Allahu Akbar' at regular intervals.

03:49 For this and more, read the latest issue of Outlook.

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