Filmic construction of regional Islamophobia: Rendering Kashmiri Muslims in Hindi cinema

Abstract

This article examines the representation of Kashmir and its people in Hindi cinema, particularly Kashmiri Muslims. Cinematic representation has contributed to a harmful perception of Muslim identity and Islam. Given the contemporary global religio-political scenario, it is crucial to examine this phenomenon in promoting such perceptions about Kashmir, which is often referred to as South-Asian Palestine. The methodology employs survey, dialogical deconstruction and narrative analysis to unearth the implicit significances within three selected films, Haider, Mission Kashmir and Roja, depicting the Kashmiri Muslim subjects and their effect on the youth. A survey of university youth was also conducted at three central universities in Delhi. The investigation reveals a prevalent theme of violence in these films, often giving negative and biased portrayals of Kashmiris. Such conscious constructions of negative characters and narratives perpetuate Kashmirophobia – the fear or prejudice against Kashmir and its people among the youth. The portrayal of Kashmiri Muslims in Bollywood aggravates communal narratives and reinforces discriminatory views about the community, affecting the perception of the audience towards Kashmiri Muslims.