Hindi Cinema's Overton Window Shifts: Nationalist Narratives Rise

• For decades, nationalist and dharmic sentiments in Bollywood were marginalized by a "secular-liberal" cabal, often portraying Hindus negatively.
• Underworld dominance in funding was curbed after 1998 "industry" status and 2001 RBI guidelines, leading to corporatization.
• Post-2014, audience rejection of the old "secular" agenda and the rise of OTT platforms created space for new narratives.
• Recent films like Uri, The Kashmir Files, Article 370, and Chhaava successfully explore nationalist themes and historical accuracy.
• The shift reflects a demand for realistic portrayals, moving away from "secularist defensiveness" and demanding accountability.

Why It Matters: Bollywood's narrative landscape has fundamentally changed, embracing nationalist themes and historical realism.