Political Biopics-the latest trend in Hindi Cinema

Political biopics are rare in India and the Indianpoliticians could rarely tolerate such candid portrayals. A film based on the Internal Emergency, imposed by the Congress party in 1975, was banned.  ‘Kissa Kursi Ka’ and ‘Aandhi’ are one of the most controversial and popular films known to be political biopics and political agenda films of the 70’s. Gulzar’s musical hit “Aandhi’ was well thought-out as the biography of Mrs. Indira Gandhi, which was so controversial that the Congress party made every possible effort to impose ban on its release in India. Whereas the film projected Mrs. Gandhi as a very strong political leader and iron lady, who wins the assembly election overnight, which she had almost no chances to win.

Bollywood in early years had films on almost each subject. Starting from mythology to patriotic films, musical to romantic, thriller to social melodramas, as if it had all the colours of a rainbow. Later the birth of the parallel cinema in 60’s gave a realistic touch to the fantasy world of Hindi films and a cinema that could not only produce films to entertain the masses but also to draw their attention towards issues of real concern. The Indian Cinema is always known to have raised voice against issues such as corruption, social evils, atrocities, inequality, discrimination; injustice etc but still political propaganda films were very rare in Indian Cinema. But the year 2018 and 2019 would always be remembered in the history of Indian cinema as the year flooded with political biopics and propaganda films which became a new trend setter. These films not only refined the image of a particular political party but were also successful to serve its propaganda. But when it comes to a lay man, it is very difficult for them to understand the hidden messages in the films and they get easily influenced by the story line. Some of the early social scientist and political thinkers also subscribe to the notion that the media messages does influence people.

Thus it became the new trend in Bollywood where political biopics and agenda films were giving a tough competition to formula and masala films at the same time. There were almost a dozen of films which were released in 2018 and 2019 that were dipped in political colour.  The list included ‘Uri”, The Accidental Prime Minister’, ‘PM Narendra Modi’, ‘Thackrey’ , ‘Manikarnika’, ‘Tanhaji’ the latest Vidhu Vinod Chopra film Shikara on  Kashmiri Pandit’s.

Analysis of Selected Hindi Films

1 The Accidental Prime Minister

Manmohan Singh was one of India's longest serving prime ministers and widely regarded as the architect of the country's economic reforms. But critics believe that the latest biopic on him released months before the general election reduces him to a caricature. The biopic based on the book by Sanjay Baru lets audience realise by the end that the film’s title is a warning. It’s saying: Manmohan Singh was the right man for the job. The real accident will be electing Rahul Gandhi as prime minister.It also projects that between the years 2004 and 2014, India had a weak Prime Minister who was remote-controlled by the Congress president and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. Anupam Kher who portrayed the former PM’s role can easily be observed as a very introvert, weak , low profile and fearful puppet in the hands of Mrs Gandhi. His many achievements as an ace politician goes unnoticed as the films hardly talks about them. It cannot be a coincidence that the Accidental Prime Minister, which takes digs at the Opposition and is promoted by the BJP’s social media handle

2 Uri-The Surgical Strike

The film glorifies the supposed military strike by the government and the timing of its release seems suspect . The films arouses a feeling of national integration and patriotism and portrays Pakistan as an enemy nation. The film showcases the life of Indian Army soldiers who give up their today for our tomorrow and no words can signify or repay the sacrifices they make for our country.  The film puts a spotlight on the thankless job the soldiers do with passion in their hearts and fire in their bellies. The film is a fitting tribute to the Indian Army conceptually but cinematically.

3 PM Narendra Modi

An Indian biographical film directed by Omung Kumar is based on the life of Narendra Modi, the 14thPrime Minister of India; starring Vivek Oberoi in the lead role.  The first look of the film was released in January 2019. The film will release in 23 different languages.. NSUI Goa, the student wing of Congress Party, has written to Election Commission to ban the screening of the film claiming it violates the model code of conduct of elections. The film appears to be a one-sided costume drama that comes closer to propaganda than to a biography. It is a biopic that tries to engage the audience, irrespective of their personal views, whereas the story seems to worship the protagonist and tries to whitewash all controversies to his name. This is something that you will lap up if you are a believer, and dismiss if you aren’t. This one falls in the latter category. It would not be wrong to say that the film looks like a PR film which tries to polish the image of a controversial figure in Indian politics.

Conclusion:

Analysing the above few films and others released after 2018 it would not be mistaken to say that the routine masala and formula films have given its way to political biopic and agenda films which have the new trend in Bollywood. One of the probable reasons for this trend to propagate could be the General Elections of 2019.