Evolution of Populism in Hindi Cinema of Independent India: From Socialist to Nationalist Representation

Hindi cinema in India has served as the mainstream of popular culture right from India’s independence. It has resonated with the popular narrative of its times as seen from the decades after the independence through the turbulent times of the 70s to post-liberalization period of the 90s and after. While being stoically neutral on themes political, most Hindi films have served the populism of the dominant discourse. The four stages of the evolution of populism in Hindi cinema can be seen through four dominant narratives of post-independent era, identity search of the 70s and 80s, post-liberalization “feel-good” era, and the nationalist narrative after the Kargil War.