Jingoistic to Celebratory: Bollywood is Redefining Patriotism

Recent films like ‘Mission Mangal’, ‘Raazi’ and ‘Uri’ celebrate the contribution of Indians. 

(Photo: The Quint)

Depiction of patriotism in mainstream Bollywood films has gone through major changes in the last decade. We have moved on from the jingoistic approach of the late ‘90s in films like Gadar: Ek Prem Katha and Border to picking more celebratory subjects in the last decade.

In the last decade, the glory of the past and the Independence movement has given way to pride of what Indians, and India as a nation has been able to achieve in the 72 years since independence. Films like Parmanu, Raazi, Uri: The Surgical Strike, and sports biopics like MS Dhoni, Mary Kom, Gold and many others, celebrate the achievements of the people.

As the Indian Independence Day is just around the corner, in this week’s episode of Reel Deal I discuss how patriotic films have gone through a major transition in the last decade, and why they have a great record at the box office.

Tune in to the podcast here.

Apart from sports biopics and the fight against terrorism, stories of common people who have gone on to achieve extraordinary things and have contributed to the country’s progress in some way, are being lapped up. Case in point, films like Pad Man, Raid, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, among others.