Exposing Islamophobia in Bollywood: How Indian Cinema Fuels Hate | Southern Insights

Bollywood is one of the world’s largest and most influential film industries, producing over 1,500 movies each year—more than double the number of films made in Hollywood. But behind the glitz and glamour, a troubling trend has emerged: the increasing portrayal of Muslims through an Islamophobic lens.

In this episode of Southern Insights, we dive deep into Islamophobia in Bollywood, tracing how India’s billion-dollar entertainment industry has perpetuated harmful stereotypes about Muslims for decades. From the early days of "Muslim Social" dramas to today’s anti-Muslim narratives, Bollywood has systematically contributed to the "othering" of Muslims. And in recent years, under the influence of the Hindutva movement, these portrayals have grown more blatant and harmful.

Key Points We Cover:
The Origins of Muslim Portrayals in Bollywood:

Bollywood’s “Muslim Social” films, which portrayed Muslims in stereotypical roles such as courtesans and wine-drinking elites, date back to the early 20th century. These representations ignored the rich cultural history of professions like the Tawaif and reduced Muslim women to caricatures of immorality.

The Shift to Islamophobia Post-2000:

According to an analysis by the University of Cambridge, post-9/11 Bollywood films saw a sharp rise in the association of Muslim characters with terrorism, further fueling anti-Muslim sentiment in India and abroad.

Since the early 2000s, Bollywood has increasingly portrayed Muslims as terrorists and extremists. These depictions criminalize Muslim religious practices, such as Dua and Salam, painting a whole community with a negative brush.

The Role of Hindutva in Shaping Cinema:

According to historians, these films inaccurately depict historical figures like Alauddin Khilji as savage and immoral, ignoring historical accounts that present a more nuanced understanding of these rulers.

The rise of the BJP government and the Hindutva ideology has had a direct influence on Bollywood’s narratives. Films like Padmaavat (2018) and Tanhaji (2020) present exaggerated and false historical narratives of Muslim rulers as barbaric invaders, reinforcing Hindutva’s political agenda.

The Impact of Films like "The Kashmir Files" and "The Kerala Story":

As reported by India Today and Alt News, there is no evidence to support the claim that 32,000 women were radicalized and sent abroad for jihadist activities. These films have been labeled as propaganda tools by critics and historians.

Recent films like The Kashmir Files (2022) and The Kerala Story (2023) have been criticized for distorting history and spreading misinformation. The Kerala Story, for instance, claimed that 32,000 Hindu women were forcibly converted to Islam and sent to Syria—claims that were debunked by multiple fact-checking organizations.

Bollywood’s Global Influence and Responsibility:

According to the Global Attitudes Survey by Pew Research, Islamophobia has been on the rise in India, particularly in areas where Hindutva politics have dominated the narrative.

With a global audience of over 2 billion, Bollywood’s portrayals reach far beyond India’s borders. When anti-Muslim stereotypes are normalized in such widely consumed media, they reinforce Islamophobia both in India and globally.

Why Is This Important?

By distorting history and perpetuating negative stereotypes, Bollywood films don’t just entertain—they shape public opinion. In India, where 173 million Muslims face growing marginalization, these portrayals serve to fuel hate, misunderstandings, and violence. As Hindutva influences continue to grow in the country, Bollywood’s role in supporting these narratives cannot be ignored.

Curious to learn more? Watch this episode to discover how Bollywood has evolved into a tool for shaping public opinion against Muslims—and why this matters now more than ever.

Watch More from Southern Insights:
1- Tracing the Footsteps: Early Muslims in India
   • Видео  
2- Indian Muslims and the story of the Khilafat Movement
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3- The Contemporary Struggles of 200 Million Muslims in India
   • Видео  
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Let us know in the comments: Do you think Bollywood is intentionally fueling hate? Have you noticed these portrayals in films? We want to hear from you!