How Bollywood Expains India

Every decade of India can be explained by the dominant Bollywood movies of the time.

The 1970s were about the angry young man: Zanjeer, Deewar, and Sholay. Unemployment was high, inflation exceeded 20%, the license raj system prevented small businesses from operating freely, and Indira Gandhi imposed forced sterilization and emergency rule. Indians were angry and wanted to rebel against the system. There were nationwide protests by farmers and students, and new political parties like the Janata Party (predecessor to BJP) were formed.

The 1980s were about escapism: Himmatwala, Disco Dancer, and Mr. India. Unemployment and the license raj persisted through the 1980s, but India was tired. Indira Gandhi was assassinated. The Punjab insurgency, anti-Sikh riots, and Bhopal gas tragedy killed tens of thousands of people. But there was no clear villain to fight, just chaos. People didn’t organize nationwide protests, they tuned out. There’s only so much despair society can handle, until it resorts to escaping from reality.

The 1990s were about the desire for choice: Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Dil Toh Pagal Hai, and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. In 1991, India opened its economy. Liberalization brought MTV, Coca-Cola, satellite TV, shopping malls, and dreams of upward mobility. People traveled to the US and Europe. For the first time, middle-class Indians could think beyond survival: they wanted choice in their careers, products, and romantic partners. The villain wasn’t the government, it was traditional social structures that prevented young people from making their own choices.

The 2000s were a continuation of the 90s, with an emphasis on aspiration. The culturally relevant movies were Dil Chahta Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Dhoom, and Munna Bhai.

The 2010s were about self exploration and breaking social norms: 3 Idiots (2009), Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, PK, Dangal, and Gully Boy. Race, caste, gender, and religious orthodoxies were questioned. Reliance Jio provided cheap 4G data services, which onboarded over 300 million Indians to the internet, and gave people instant access to global movements. The Nirbhaya rape case shook the whole country and led to new laws. The Supreme Court decriminalized homosexuality by striking down Section 377.

The 2020s were about nationalism: Shershaah, Kashmir Files, Bell Bottom, and Pathaan. In 2019, India responded to Pakistan’s Pulwama attack with an airstrike on Balakot in Pakistan. Reverence for the army significantly increased. Anti-national became a slur. COVID broke global supply chains and made India focus on self reliance (“Atmanirbhar Bharat”). The government banned TikTok, along with 200 other Chinese apps. ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 mission was a symbol of national pride – it was the first time that a country landed successfully on the Moon’s south pole.