In the context of typical Bollywood idealized landscapes and luxurious settings, depicting nuanced environmental elements has been a challenging task. However, the new millennium has seen a group of filmmakers deviate from conventional portrayals to highlight nature’s challenges. Recognizing the substantial impact of cinema on the Indian populace, these filmmakers leverage the medium to raise awareness about the pressing issue of climate change, often overlooked amidst other crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Nila Madhab Panda and Abhishek Kapoor, in their films Kadvi Hawa (2017) and Kedarnath (2018) respectively, adopt the role of environmental stewards to depict the consequences of human apathy, leading to significant climatic changes in India. Kadvi Hawa poignantly addresses issues like loan defaults and suicides, illustrating the distressing impact of environmental degradation on the village of Mahua, rendering it desolate and infertile. In contrast, Kedarnath advocates for proactive measures by vividly portraying the catastrophic floods that struck Kedarnath in 2013. This chapter aims to comprehensively analyse these cinematic depictions, emphasizing the pivotal role films can play in effectively addressing climate-related concerns. Additionally, the chapter underscores the potential for the development of more narrative frameworks in cinema, serving as powerful tools to foster engagement and enhance environmental consciousness.

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From Glamour to Green: Exploring Cinematic Responses to Climate Change in Bollywood

  • Neeraj Pizar

摘要

In the context of typical Bollywood idealized landscapes and luxurious settings, depicting nuanced environmental elements has been a challenging task. However, the new millennium has seen a group of filmmakers deviate from conventional portrayals to highlight nature’s challenges. Recognizing the substantial impact of cinema on the Indian populace, these filmmakers leverage the medium to raise awareness about the pressing issue of climate change, often overlooked amidst other crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Nila Madhab Panda and Abhishek Kapoor, in their films Kadvi Hawa (2017) and Kedarnath (2018) respectively, adopt the role of environmental stewards to depict the consequences of human apathy, leading to significant climatic changes in India. Kadvi Hawa poignantly addresses issues like loan defaults and suicides, illustrating the distressing impact of environmental degradation on the village of Mahua, rendering it desolate and infertile. In contrast, Kedarnath advocates for proactive measures by vividly portraying the catastrophic floods that struck Kedarnath in 2013. This chapter aims to comprehensively analyse these cinematic depictions, emphasizing the pivotal role films can play in effectively addressing climate-related concerns. Additionally, the chapter underscores the potential for the development of more narrative frameworks in cinema, serving as powerful tools to foster engagement and enhance environmental consciousness.