From Personal Memories to Political Cinema: Bollywood’s Shift Towards Nationalism

The article explores the profound influence of Bollywood on the author’s early life in Fiji and its later political implications. Growing up in the Methodist quarters of Dilkusha, Fiji, the author discovered a personal escape and cultural education through cinema, particularly at the Empire Theatre. Early experiences with classic Bollywood films, such as Raj Kapoor’s Awaara and Homi Wadia’s Alibaba and the Forty Thieves, shaped his understanding of narrative, sentiment, and cultural identity. These films represented a multicultural and sentimental India, offering a vision of society grounded in moral and emotional complexity. However, contemporary Bollywood under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shifted significantly. Films now often emphasise Hindu nationalism, portraying Muslims and other minorities as threats, and celebrate the nation as a powerful, heroic entity. Directors like Sanjay Leela Bhansali have turned historical and mythological stories into grand spectacles, promoting a politically charged vision of India. This transformation reflects a departure from the nuanced, emotionally-driven cinema of the past to a modern, assertive, and ideologically aligned Bollywood that functions both as entertainment and as a tool for nationalist messaging.