Hindi cinema is beyond repair: Bollywood’s film on JNU protests draws ire

Many are slamming it as an addition to an expanding line of propaganda

Amidst the backdrop of controversy surrounding Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), filmmaker Vinay Sharma is gearing up to release his latest venture titled JNU: Jahangir National University. Scheduled for theatrical release on April 5, the movie has already ignited discussions and polarising reactions across social media platforms following the release of its poster, with many slamming it as an addition to the exceeding line of Indian propaganda that has become home turf for Bollywood.

With an ensemble cast featuring Siddharth Bodke, Urvashi Rautela, Piyush Mishra, Ravi Kishan, Vijay Raaz, Rashmi Desai, Atul Pandey, and Sonnalli Seygall, JNU: Jahangir National University aims to dive into the contentious realm of Indian academia. Rautela, one of the lead actors in the film, took to Instagram to share the poster, which depicts a saffron map of India with a thought-provoking question: “Can one educational university break the nation?

The caption accompanying the poster alluded to the underlying theme of the movie, hinting at a conspiracy brewing within the walls of education that threatens the unity of the nation. The reference to JNU, known for its history of controversies, added an extra layer of intrigue to the film’s premise. However, the announcement of the film hasn’t been without its share of criticism. On social media platform X, personalities including trade analyst Taran Adarsh shared the film’s poster, eliciting diverse reactions from users.

Reactions

“This movie will also be tax-free. And fact-free,” said one matter-of-fact X user. Another had a far more scathing response. “Hitler and the Nazis used to do the same thing. They had a whole hate-filled media propaganda spanning nearly 90 movies and radio shows over a decade. It’s nice to see their fans are following the same pattern a century later,” they remarked. One lamented, “Hindi cinema is beyond repair. This is just sad.”

“Another propaganda movie, another flop…Ignore it,” said one user of the site formerly known as Twitter, perhaps alluding to the absolute circus that was the release and reception of Fighter. “I find it amusing how such movies come only before elections,” noted another user of the microblogging site. Yet another offered, “JNU has been an obsession. Only because it allows freedom to think, it has given space to the underprivileged from all over India. Had been a true melting pot of ideas and cultures. This is the only reason why this prime institution is being targeted and diminished every day.”

Context

The controversy surrounding the movie gains added significance in light of the events at the actual JNU. Journalist Rana Ayyub, whilst writing for TIME, provided a chilling account of a violent mob storming the campus, attacking students including Aishe Ghosh, the Students’ Union President. Describing scenes of chaos and fear, Ayyub highlighted the involvement of groups affiliated with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), sparking widespread condemnation and calls for justice. The incident witnessed clashes between student groups and right-wing activists, further exacerbating tensions and raising questions about the safety and security of educational institutions in India.

“A mob of men with masks on their faces had stormed the campus and attacked the students at one of India’s most iconic universities, the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), named after independent India’s first Prime Minister,” penned Ayyub. “Students returning from the campus toward the city were visibly shaken, warning us about ‘ABVP goons’ surrounding the university and targeting students and other journalists present. The ABVP (Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad) is a student group affiliated with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, currently led by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” read the account further. 

As JNU: Jahangir National University gears up for its release, it finds itself at the intersection of art and politics, poised to ignite conversations on freedom of expression, ideological clashes, and the power dynamics within academia.