26 Dec 2025·Source: The Hindu

3 min

Social IssuesPolity & GovernancePolity & GovernanceEDITORIAL

Bollywood's Dual Narrative: Hyper-Nationalism vs. Social Realism in 2025

Bollywood in 2025 saw a clash between populist, hyper-nationalist blockbusters and nuanced, socially conscious films.

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Editorial Analysis

The author critiques the dominant trend of hyper-nationalist and communally charged cinema in Bollywood for prioritizing spectacle and political advocacy over sensitive storytelling. He advocates for the survival and support of a parallel genre of 'good cinema' that addresses social ills and promotes intellectual engagement.

Main Arguments:

Bollywood in 2025 was dominated by hyper-nationalist tropes, bombastic action, and overt communal messaging, reducing cinema to an ideological instrument for political advocacy.
This populist cinema, while commercially successful, fosters jingoism and neglects creative nuance and social empathy.
A counter-narrative of 'good cinema' emerged, featuring films that delve into personal struggles, social injustices (like caste discrimination and child trafficking), and human resilience.
These thoughtful films, despite critical acclaim, often struggle for viewership and exhibition, indicating a public preference for spectacle over substance.
The survival of this intellectual and socially sensitive genre is crucial to prevent cinema from becoming a 'soulless instrument for profit and political propaganda'.

Conclusion

The author concludes that while mainstream populist cinema thrives, it is imperative for audiences to support and review the 'good cinema' genre. This ensures that cinema retains its capacity for profound, creative storytelling, intellectual engagement, and social sensitivity, preventing it from being solely a tool for political propaganda.

In 2025, Bollywood presented a stark contrast: a dominant trend of hyper-nationalist, action-packed, and communally charged films coexisted with a smaller, yet significant, stream of cinema focused on social issues. While blockbusters like 'Dhurandhar' and 'War 2' prioritized spectacle and political advocacy, often glorifying patriarchal heroism and divisive sentiments, a parallel genre explored themes of caste discrimination, child trafficking, and neurodivergence.

Films like 'Superboys of Malegaon' and 'Phule' offered sensitive narratives on social injustices and human resilience, challenging the mainstream's focus on jingoism. This analysis highlights the ongoing debate about cinema's role: as a tool for political messaging or a medium for intellectual and empathetic storytelling.

Key Facts

2025 Bollywood trends included hyper-nationalist tropes and communal messaging.

Films like 'Dhurandhar' and 'War 2' prioritized spectacle.

A counter-narrative emerged with films addressing caste discrimination, child marriage, and gender inequality.

Examples of socially conscious films mentioned: 'Superboys of Malegaon', 'Sitaare Zameen Par', 'Jolly LLB 3', 'Homebound', 'Phule', 'Dhadak 2', 'The Humans in the Loop', 'Stolen', 'Agra'.

UPSC Exam Angles

Role of media (cinema) in shaping public opinion and national identity (GS-1 Society)

Freedom of speech and expression (Article 19(1)(a)) and reasonable restrictions (GS-2 Polity)

Regulation of content and the role of statutory bodies like CBFC (GS-2 Governance)

Social justice issues (caste discrimination, child rights, disability rights) as depicted in media (GS-1 Society, GS-2 Social Justice)

Ethics in media and entertainment (GS-4 Ethics)

Visual Insights

More Information

Background

The Indian film industry, particularly Bollywood, has historically played a significant role in shaping public opinion and reflecting societal changes. From the social reformist films of the 1950s to the angry young man narratives of the 70s and the liberalization-era romances, cinema has always been a mirror and a shaper of Indian identity. However, its relationship with political narratives and social issues has evolved, often reflecting the prevailing socio-political climate.

Latest Developments

In contemporary times, especially around 2025 as per the article, there's a pronounced 'dual narrative'. One dominant stream focuses on hyper-nationalism, often with action-packed, communally charged themes that glorify patriarchal heroism and divisive sentiments. This trend often aligns with political messaging.

Concurrently, a smaller but impactful stream addresses critical social issues like caste discrimination, child trafficking, and neurodivergence, offering nuanced and empathetic storytelling. This contrast highlights a significant debate about the fundamental role and responsibility of cinema.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the regulation and freedom of expression in Indian cinema: 1. The Cinematograph Act, 1952, provides the statutory framework for the certification of films for public exhibition in India. 2. The guidelines for film certification issued under the Act include provisions to ensure that films do not promote communal disharmony or anti-national attitudes. 3. The freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution extends absolutely to cinematic works without any reasonable restrictions. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 only
B.1 and 2 only
C.2 and 3 only
D.1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: B

Statement 1 is correct. The Cinematograph Act, 1952, is the primary legislation governing the certification of films in India. Statement 2 is correct. The 'Guidelines for Certification of Films' under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, explicitly state that films should be judged in their entirety from the point of view of their overall impact and are not certified if they are likely to encourage communal, anti-national, or anti-scientific attitudes. Statement 3 is incorrect. Article 19(1)(a) guarantees freedom of speech and expression, but Article 19(2) allows for reasonable restrictions on grounds such as public order, decency, morality, security of the state, etc. These restrictions apply to all forms of expression, including cinematic works.