Independence Day: How Indian cinema captured 70 years | 5Anjabi

Films mirror the society or the society follows films? As Bollywood peddles a certain kind of chest-thumping patriotism that may or may not be targeted at the neighbour across the border, the question is even more significant. This Independence Day, we take a look at the Hindi film industry and how its definition – and portrayal of pa

triotic cinema changed in 70 years since India attained its Independence. The patriotic fervour of the years after independence showcased it in films that celebrated the idea of social responsibility and building the nation (Jagriti, Do Aankhen Barah Haath, Naya Daur). The disillusionment of the 70s and 80s found its expression in the angry young man and films such as Ardh Satya, Aakrosh and Sadgati. The 90s was all about jingoism and Pakistan bashing became a synonym for patriotism

The new millennium brought along Indians taking pride in themselves and a return-to-roots cinema, best shown in Swades but as the new decade began, the terms everyone was talking about were Nationalism, Patriotism, Nation building. Patriotism as a sentiment needs to be expressed everyday in any way possible and this nationalistic rhetoric are finding their way in the films.

Such has been the focus on painting a film mediocre that some mediocre films get disproportionate attention, whereas other films which are also Indian in their concerns, theme or treatment, but which do not ride the patriotic bandwagon, get ignored.