Kashmir (Files) to Kerala (Story): When PM talks of a film

In the past too, the BJP, as well as Modi, has put its weight behind several films, including contested ones, endorsing them either through tax exemptions or vocal support on social media.

On May 29 2022, in a Mann Ki Baat address, Modi spoke of ‘Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama’, the first animation film co-produced by India and Japan and released in 1993.

“This project was associated with Japan’s very famous film director Yugo Sakoji. About 40 years ago, in 1983, he came to know about Ramayana for the first time,” the PM said, an official release by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) quoted him as saying. Sako was touched by ‘Ramayana’ and started researching deeply about the epic, Modi said. “He read 10 versions of Ramayana in Japanese language, and not only did he stop at this, he also wanted to showcase it through animation… He was told how people in India wear dhoti, sari, how they groom their hair, how children respect each other within the family, offering salutation to the elders of the household, seeking their blessings.”

In March 2022, in an address to party MPs after the BJP stormed back to power in four state Assembly elections, Modi referred to The Kashmir Files film, on attacks on Kashmiri Pandits and their exodus from the Valley in the 1990s.

He questioned attempts to “discredit” the film, saying: “Aur ye film ka tathyon ke aadhaar par, art ke aadhaar par uski vivechna karne ke bajaye, usko discredit karne ke liye bada muhim chalaya. Aap ne dekha hoga. Yeh poori ecosystem. Koi satya ujagar karne ka sahas kare, usko jo satya laga usko prastut karne ki koshish ki. Lekin us satya ko na samajhane ki taiyyari na sweekar karne ki taiyyari hai. Nahi duniya isko dekhe, uski manzoori hai. Jis prakar ka shadyantra pichale paanch-chheh din mein chal raha hai… mera vishay ye film nahin hai, mera vishay hai jo satya hai usko sahi swaroop mein desh ke saamne lana, desh ki bhalayi ke liye hota hai (Instead of assessing the film on the basis of facts, a campaign is on to discredit it. The entire ecosystem opposes anyone who dares to show the truth. Someone tried to depict what he thought was the truth. But there is reluctance to understand or accept the truth. The conspiracy for the last 5-6 days is to ensure no one sees the truth. My issue is not this film, but bringing out the truth for the good of the country),” he said.

The film was exempted from tax in at least six BJP-ruled states.

Around the time of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, when Modi was campaigning to be elected as PM for the second time, several films that aligned with the BJP’s politics saw a release.

A biopic about Modi himself called PM Narendra Modi was originally to be released on May 11, in the midst of the polls. Its trailer was launched by former Maharashtra BJP chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The Congress filed a complaint with the Election Commission (EC), saying the film was not an “artistic venture”, and its leaders called it political and motivated.

Eventually, the EC stalled the release till the final phase of voting on May 19, citing the model code of conduct and noting that the film had “the potential to disturb the level playing field during the elections”. The film was eventually released on May 24, 2019.

Earlier that year, the BJP’s official social media handles had shared the trailer of the film The Accidental Prime Minister, a biopic on former PM Manmohan Singh. “Riveting tale of how a family held the country to ransom for 10 long years. Was Dr Singh just a regent who was holding on to the PM’s chair till the time heir was ready? Watch the official trailer of #TheAccidentalPrimeMinister, based on an insider’s account, releasing on 11 Jan!” a post by the party had said.

The film, directed by Vijay Ratnakar Gutte, the son of Maharashtra MLA Ratnakar Gutte, was widely noted for poking fun at Singh.

The same month saw the release of Uri: The Surgical Strike, based on strikes carried out by India on Pakistani terrorist camps. At an inaugural event of the National Museum of Indian Cinema in Mumbai, Modi quoted a dialogue from the film, asking the audience: “How’s the josh?”

The crowd, a mix of personalities including many from the film fraternity, responded with applause, and a spirited “High, Sir!” — like in the film.

In June 2017, the PM had praised the film Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, which aligned with the government’s mission to provide toilets in every home. Sharing the film’s trailer, Modi wrote: “Good effort to further the message of cleanliness. 125 crore Indians have to continue working together to create a Swachh Bharat.”

In January this year, films again found mention in a Modi speech, though in a different context. With the much-anticipated Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Pathan facing Hindu right-wing protests over a few scenes, including from some BJP leaders, the PM said at BJP National Executive meeting in Delhi that party leaders should refrain from “unnecessary remarks” against films and personalities to grab headlines.

“No one should make unnecessary comments that overshadow the hard work we do,” he said.