Ira Bhasker Criticizes Dhurandhar's Ideological Messaging in Panel Discussion
In a recent panel conversation hosted by activist-writer Harsh Mander on his YouTube channel Karwan e Mohabbat, film scholar Ira Bhaskar, mother of actress Swara Bhasker, strongly criticized director Aditya Dhar's blockbuster film Dhurandhar. The discussion, which also featured Harish Wankhede, Assistant Professor at the Centre for Political Science at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), delved into the intersection of politics, ideology, and representation in contemporary Indian cinema.
Bhaskar Questions Hindutva Influence in Dhurandhar
During the conversation, Bhaskar pointed to the commercial success of Dhurandhar, which has earned crores at the box office, while questioning the ideological underpinnings she believes the film promotes. "This is an example of a film made by a filmmaker who is ideologically convinced by Hindutva and the ideology of Hindutva," she stated. She acknowledged Dhar's filmmaking prowess, describing him as a competent director, but maintained that the film reflects a clear and concerning ideological position.
Bhaskar further explored the relationship between technical craft and content in cinema, arguing that they cannot be separated. "But what is technical, you know, I mean, how is technique to be divorced from and how is form to be divorced from content," she said, emphasizing that the form and content in films like Dhurandhar work together to convey specific messages.
Criticism of Muslim Portrayals and Selective Storytelling
The scholar also launched a sharp critique of the portrayal of Muslims in Dhurandhar, asserting that the narrative reinforces harmful stereotypes. "It's extremely violent. And its violence is at the service of a belief structure of an ideology that Muslims are very violent people. Pakistan is a very violent nation. You don't see any normal Muslim there. Everyone is a terrorist or a gangster," Bhaskar remarked.
She added that films claiming to be based on true events, like Dhurandhar, often selectively present facts to serve ideological agendas. "It's a fiction film based on true events, supposedly. And it's selective as all these films are. It will only selectively choose what to put together in order to serve the ideology," she explained.
Broader Reflections on Indian Cinema and Society
The panel discussion extended beyond Dhurandhar to examine broader themes in Indian cinema, including the portrayal of Dalits and Muslims. Participants reflected on whether films centered on humanism, secularism, and social equality still find space in today's filmmaking landscape, highlighting concerns about the current political and cultural climate influencing cinematic narratives.
Meanwhile, following the blockbuster success of Dhurandhar, its sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, is scheduled for release in theatres on March 19, with paid previews on March 18, indicating the ongoing commercial momentum of the franchise.
