Islamophobia in India has always existed in some form or another, often fueled and exacerbated by various forces. Hatred towards Muslims and the promotion of Islamophobia have been greatly influenced by radical Hindutva organizations. Similarly, in Indian politics and governance, Islamophobia and hatred towards Muslims have been stoked and exploited for political gains.
Bollywood has also played a significant role in spreading hatred and misinformation about Muslims. Today, Bollywood seems to have become an institution dedicated to propagating hatred and misconceptions against Muslims. Even before the year 2000, many Bollywood films portrayed Muslims in negative roles. However, the impact was not as profound, as there was some balance in the way these portrayals were handled. Nevertheless, gradually, these portrayals also contributed to the growing animosity towards Muslims.
After the 9/11 attacks in 2001 in the United States, Hollywood began portraying Muslims as terrorists, so-called jihadists, savages, and killers. Bollywood followed suit between 2001 and 2010, with an open and large-scale portrayal of Muslims as terrorists, so-called jihadists, threats to humanity and the nation, and murderers. In Bollywood films from 2001 to 2010, Muslims were depicted in a particular stereotypical way: wearing skullcaps, sporting beards, using kohl, with headscarves, and displaying an aggressive, radical, and troublemaking demeanor. The Islamic tradition of women wearing burqas and observing purdah (veil) was depicted as a form of imprisonment, presenting women as oppressed and downtrodden.
However, after 2010, with the evolving modern sensibilities, it was felt that the earlier model of depicting Muslims as extremists and in traditional Islamic attire was no longer resonating with audiences. Thus, a gradual change occurred. Post-2010 films began showing Muslims in regular attire like others, but their characters remained the same—depicted as terrorists, traitors to the nation, and criminals. Muslim women were portrayed as prostitutes, sex workers, and mere machines for producing children.
In nearly all Indian films where a character is depicted as a traitor or terrorist, the character is shown as a Muslim. In the few films where Muslims are shown positively, they are depicted as distant from Islam. The underlying message is that the further a Muslim distances themselves from Islam, the better they are as a person. In some films, an attempt is made to balance this by showing both good and bad Muslims. However, while the bad Muslim is always portrayed as a terrorist, traitor, and criminal, the good Muslim is shown constantly trying to prove their loyalty to the nation.
Between 2014 and 2024, Bollywood produced nearly 1,600 films and series, which were released on OTT platforms and in cinemas. Out of these, approximately 1,000 films and series portrayed Muslims in negative roles.
There are specific patterns followed in Bollywood’s anti-Muslim films, which are as follows:
- Terrorism and Extremism:
In this category, Muslims are portrayed as terrorists, murderers, extremists, so-called jihadists, and haters of Hindus. These films revolve around the theme of Islamic terrorism. - Historical Villains and Invaders:
Here, Muslim rulers, kings, and emperors are portrayed as villains, oppressive, exploiters of women, tormentors of non-Muslims, murderers, invaders, savage beasts, and foreigners. - Oppression and Victimization:
In this type, Muslim women are shown as slaves to Muslim men, imprisoned within the four walls of the home and confined to purdah. The narrative suggests that Muslim women need to be liberated from their own culture because they are oppressed and victimized. - Objects of Sexual Pleasure:
In this category, Muslim women are portrayed as prostitutes, sex workers, immoral, unethical, and objects of sexual gratification. - Anti-Pakistan Sentiments:
In this type, the enmity with Pakistan is used to incite hatred against Muslims and Islam by promoting anti-Pakistan sentiments. - Cultural Misrepresentation:
This category depicts Muslims as being wrongly connected to their cultural and religious symbols, portraying their beliefs as narrow-minded and extremist. - Good Muslim vs. Bad Muslim:
Here, a positive Muslim character is shown as trying to prove their loyalty to the country, while the negative Muslim character is portrayed as a terrorist, traitor, and dangerous to the people. - Criminal and Immoral:
In this type, Muslims are portrayed as gangsters, mafia members, criminals, and immoral individuals. - Islamophobic Sentiments:
This type of film uses various tactics, lies, and deceit to present Islamic teachings, principles, and culture in a negative light.
These are some specific patterns, and different films employ different patterns or a combination of several patterns. Bollywood has always been somewhat anti-Muslim and anti-Islam, but after 2001, this ideology saw a significant surge. Post-2014, Bollywood openly began spreading hatred against Muslims and Islam, further inflaming anti-Muslim sentiments.
Between 2014 and 2024, films like Bajirao Mastani, Padmaavat, Tanhaji, Baby, Uri, Lipstick Under My Burkha, Secret Superstar, Gully Boy, Raazi, The Kashmir Files, The Kerala Story, Sooryavanshi, Animal, Omerta, 72 Hoorain, Panipat, Razakar, Godhra were produced, alongside series like Sacred Games, Paatal Lok, Mirzapur, Tandav, The Family Man, Khuda Haafiz, and Bombay Begums. These films and series openly presented Muslims and Islam in a negative light.
Over time, Bollywood’s approach to depicting Muslims and defaming Islam has evolved. The patterns seen between 2001 and 2010 differ from those between 2010 and 2020. Since 2020, the new pattern shows Muslims as sexual exploiters of women, manipulators of fake love, immoral, and unethical. Practices like polygamy, halala, talaq, and purdah are also being misrepresented. Muslim women are increasingly depicted as objects of sexual gratification, immoral, and unethical.
This doesn’t mean that old patterns have been abandoned, but the new ones are being used more frequently alongside the older ones.
References :
- https://southasiajournal.net/cinematic-injustice-the-dangerous-stereotyping-of-muslims-in-bollywood/
- https://collider.com/bollywood-islamophobia-movies/
- https://frontline.thehindu.com/arts-and-culture/cinema/article31007504.ece
- https://www.trtworld.com/opinion/bollywoods-depictions-of-muslims-over-time-have-gone-from-good-to-ugly-16662169
- https://wsps.ut.ac.ir/article_80335.html
- https://www.filmindependent.org/blog/guest-post-the-muslim-narrative-in-hindi-cinema-20-great-examples/
- https://www.dawn.com/news/1825983
- https://www.reddit.com/r/ABCDesis/comments/12xo2nv/antimuslim_rhetoric_in_bollywood/
