Bollywood’s film about the JNU protests provokes anger
With Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) embroiled in controversy, director Vinay Sharma is preparing to launch JNU: Jahangir National University, his most recent project. With its April 5 theatrical release date set, the film has already sparked debates and divisive responses on social media with the release of its poster, with many criticizing it as another example of the extreme Indian propaganda that Bollywood has made its own.
Siddharth Bodke, Urvashi Rautela, Piyush Mishra, Ravi Kishan, Vijay Raaz, Rashmi Desai, Atul Pandey, and Sonnalli Seygall are among the ensemble cast members of JNU: Jahangir National University, which is poised to enter the controversial field of Indian academics. One of the movie’s main performers, Rautela, shared the poster on Instagram. It features an image of a saffron map of India and poses the provocative question, “Can one educational university break the nation?”
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The poster’s message hinted at a conspiracy that is developing inside schools and threatens the country’s unity, which is the movie’s central premise. The film’s concept was made more intriguing by the allusion to JNU, which is well-known for its contentious past. Still, there have been some criticisms of the film’s announcement. Users of the social networking site X responded differently to the movie poster that celebrities like trade analyst Taran Adarsh posted.
Mahakaal movies presents first look of “JNU” movie
हर रोज़ एक नया ज़ख्म 😂#JahangirNationalUniversity #JNU pic.twitter.com/4lj5ebrarW
— Kreately.in (@KreatelyMedia) March 12, 2024
Responses
“There will also be no VAT on this film. And fact-free,” said a sober-minded X user. Another responded with considerably more sarcasm. “The Nazis and Hitler formerly engaged in similar activities. They had a whole decade’s worth of hate-filled media propaganda that was included in almost 90 radio programs and films. A century later, it’s good to see their supporters still following the same path,” they said. “Hindi cinema is beyond repair,” one person bemoaned. It’s really depressing.”
This movie will also be tax free.
And fact free.Like Kashmiir FiIes and Karela story.
— Block_Queen (@Block_Queen_) March 12, 2024
Hitler and the Nazis used to do the same thing. They had a whole hate-filled media propaganda spanning nearly 90 movies and radio shows over a decade. It’s nice to see their fans are following the same pattern a century later.
— Doctor Roshan R 🌍 (@pythoroshan) March 12, 2024
“Jahangir”. Even when the Sangh fascists are up against Leftists, they have to froth at the mouth and make it about Muslims. https://t.co/MVWk8KC26L
— Maqsood (@Maqsood_Scribe) March 12, 2024
I find it amusing how such movies come only before elections.
— Aanshul Sadaria (@AanshulSadaria) March 12, 2024
Context
The movie’s issue takes on greater relevance when considering what happened at the genuine JNU. When writing for TIME, journalist Rana Ayyub gave a terrifying story of a violent crowd that stormed the school and attacked students, including Aishe Ghosh, the president of the Students’ Union. Ayyub described scenes of terror and confusion, highlighting the involvement of parties connected to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This led to cries for justice and worldwide criticism. Conflicts between student organizations and right-wing demonstrators occurred throughout the incident, which heightened tensions and raised concerns about the security and safety of Indian educational institutions.
“A mob of men with masks on their faces had stormed the campus and attacked the students at one of India’s most iconic universities, the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), named after independent India’s first Prime Minister,” wrote Ayyub. “Students warned us about ‘ABVP goons’ surrounding the university and targeting students and other media there. They were clearly rattled as they made their way back toward the city. The story went on to say that the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) is a student organization connected to the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is now led by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
As JNU: Jahangir National University prepares for its launch, it finds itself at the crossroads of politics and art, ready to spark discussions about academic power structures, ideological conflicts, and freedom of speech.
I am a dedicated student currently in my seventh semester, pursuing a degree in International Relations. Alongside my academic pursuits, I am actively engaged in the professional field as a content writer at the Rangeinn website.
