Bollywood: India’s Propaganda Tool

Before the second world war, Adolf Hitler’s minister of propaganda, Joseph Goebbels, utilized the media to incite anti-Semitism. They produced movies based on anti-semitic propaganda, successfully radicalized the whole country, and got the public’s consent within Germany.

Similarly, the Indian Fascist regime is repeating the same course as Nazi Germany. Regarding establishing the topic, framing, and spreading false news, India is renowned as a counterfeit television factory. In the past, India has produced several films on the conflict in Kashmir. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is utilizing the media and the film industry as a piece of propaganda machinery to portray Muslim minorities as nasty and depraved.

Looking Back at Kashmir Files

There is a long list of movies in Bollywood, which are completely based on the anti-Muslim and anti-Christian narratives.

As far as the recent movie “Kashmir Files” is concerned, a Zee Studios Hindi-language film tells the narrative of Hindu Pandits’ flight during the conflict in Kashmir. The so-called “massacre” of Kashmiri Pandits (Hindus) and the subsequent deportation from the occupied Valley were the movie’s focus. New Delhi attempts to rewrite Kashmiri’s history based on falsehoods and deception to excuse its terrible acts are shown in this film. Meanwhile, the Muslims of Kashmir were depicted as the ones who ejected the Hindus from Kashmir, but the truth is very different.

From a historical point of view, it is tough to tell the story of why the Kashmiri Pandits left their homes. The way they left Kashmir is talked about is very politically charged and controversial. On the one hand, there are stories about how thousands left the Valley during the uprising in Indian-occupied Kashmir in 1989. Which suggests that their community was scared enough to leave their homes. On the other hand, the stories of Kashmiri Pandits who stayed in Kashmir contradict the claims of the diaspora who were of the view that the Kashmiri pandits were victims of “genocide” and were forced “into exile.” Understanding the situation of the Pandits, who are stuck between the Muslim majority in Kashmir and the objectives of the Indian state, is not convenient.

Media and the Hate Paradigm

Revivalism, which looked to a supposedly glorious and distant past, was the primary method of brainwashing used by Nazi Germany and others. To convince people in adverse situations that they, the majority, are the victims of the minority. Recent Hindi films deal with history, politics, religion, or a combination of these themes. Padmaavat, Manikarnika, The Queen of Jhansi, Samrat Prithviraj, Uri, and The Kashmir Files are a few instances of films that purport to be based on ‘historical events,’ although in most cases, the facts are manipulated or blended with fiction.

After screenings of the Kashmir Files in places worldwide, the filmmakers, notably Anupam Kher, deliver venomous monologues inspired by the film. However, the Prime Minister of India endorsed the film; the theaters were crowded, and the movie’s political issues are seldom addressed publicly.

Nevertheless, this normalization of hatred via movies did not occur overnight. Despite Agnihotri’s assertions that he has a monopoly on this kind of film, the number of Hindu nationalist movies laced with dog whistles has increased significantly since 2014. Moreover, one genre, in particular, Historical Drama, has achieved remarkable success. A few observers have also asserted Islamophobia in films like Padmaavat, Tanhaji, Kesari, and Panipat.

The BJP’s government and along with the Hindutva ideologues and their religious extremist leaders are following the footprints of Nazi Germany. They are leading India toward Fascism. In Modi’s India, the religious extremists and ultra-nationalists are using the media as a tool of propaganda to justify their unjustifiable atrocities and violence against Muslims and other minorities in India. When the BJP-led Modi administration in India begins utilizing Bollywood movies to target minorities, it will only serve the further split of the country.

Bollywood is currently serving the core interests of the extremists sitting in the mainstream. It is acting as a new propaganda ministry and a few directors like Agnihotri are serving as propaganda ministers for the Modi regime. The ruling party, BJP is sending the incorrect message throughout the world with complete exaggeration and lies, which will damage India’s reputation and ultimately lead to chaos in the Indian state. The film industry’s impasse can only be broken if the people of every state in India, understand their role, and step up to halt the process of social media, mainstream media, and society becoming divided. Only by safeguarding and granting the rights of minorities can result in achieving unity, peace, and stability.

The article is originally published by GVS. The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of the South Asia Times.

Mehmood Ali

Mehmood Ali

Mehmood Ali, a research assistant at Balochistan Think Tank Network, is an award-winning young researcher specializing in South Asian Security Threat Matrix and Socioeconomic development. With a background in Security studies, he's well-versed in Militancy and Terrorism protocols. Ali previously served as a Research Fellow at South Asia Times and as a Research Intern at India Study Centre (ISSI). He can be contacted at X or @MEHMOODBALOCH75.

Recent

The Nobel Peace Prize or War Prize? A History of Controversial Laureates.

The Nobel Peace Prize or War Prize? A History of Controversial Laureates

Far from being an impartial recognition of pacifism, the Nobel Peace Prize’s legacy is marred by controversial laureates whose actions have been linked to immense violence. The prize is not a universal arbiter of peace but a political instrument reflecting a Western-centric worldview, rewarding figures who align with its geopolitical interests, regardless of the blood on their hands.

Read More »
An analysis of a false Financial Times report on a Pakistan-US port deal, its journalistic flaws, and its weaponization for political gain.

Geopolitics, Journalism, and the Anatomy of a False Narrative

A recent Financial Times story claimed Pakistan was pitching a new Arabian Sea port to the US Built on anonymous sources and logical flaws, the report was quietly corrected. This article dissects how the flimsy reporting was weaponized by domestic and regional actors to push a false narrative, revealing more about their political agendas than Pakistan’s foreign policy.

Read More »
An analysis of the Trump Gaza peace plan. Despite Hamas's surprise support, deep divides over security and sovereignty threaten any chance of lasting peace.

The Promises and Perils of the New Gaza Plan

A new Gaza peace plan by Donald Trump has international backing and a surprising partial acceptance from Hamas. However, its journey toward lasting peace is threatened by critical deal-breakers and the unresolved core question of Palestinian political sovereignty.

Read More »
Pakistan’s associate membership at CERN marks a milestone in science and technology collaboration. By partnering with the world’s leading particle physics center, Pakistan is strengthening innovation, research, and high-tech industry integration, paving the way for economic and scientific advancement.

Pakistan’s Path to Innovation through CERN Partnership

Pakistan’s growing partnership with CERN highlights its rising role in global science and technology. As the first South Asian state to become an associate member, Pakistan is advancing research, training young scientists, and opening doors for high-tech industry and innovation through its collaboration with the world’s leading particle physics center.

Read More »