Ethnocentrism in Hindi Cinema: Has depiction of superiority of Indian culture changed since Post-independence to Post Liberalization Period?

Abstract

Since the beginning of the 20^th century, Indian cinema reflected the social and economic conditions of the country. During the pre-independence period, several films were produced by Indian filmmakers to create nationalist fervour in the country. Ever since the first Indian film, Raja Harishchandra (1913), many films have been created which are based on Indian mythology and traditions. The portrayal of films were such that, it projected superiority of Indian culture in the spiritual domain as opposed to the Western culture. Hindi cinema particularly played a pivotal role in shaping national identity amongst the citizens of the country during the 1900s. With the rise of Swadeshi movement during the pre-independence period, the British Empire was threatened by an increasing number of nationalist films produced by the Indian filmmakers. As a result, the British Raj established Indian Cinematograph committee to exercise its power and control the kind of films that were being broadcasted in the Indian subcontinent. Yet several Indian filmmakers during the pre-independence period, produced films which highlighted the superiority of Indian cultural and traditional values.