In the last few years, films driven by nationalistic fervour have firmly found their foothold among audiences. Market experts believe this surge is a response to viewers filling cinema halls in an otherwise dull theatrical market. But when cinema borrows the uniform, it also borrows the authority, credibility, and emotional weight that come with it.
For
Indian Army officer Colonel Rajeev Bharwan (Retd.), the concern lies not in patriotic storytelling, but in the intent driving it. “Honestly, if you ask me, most of the movies I don’t see. It’s only for one reason, and that’s the intent,” he says, pointing to what he sees as a growing emphasis on commercial viability over authenticity.
He believes that the commercialisation of defence efforts, wrapped in what he calls filmy tadka, has become a preferred packaging style. “Most of the people make these movies because they know this is how it will sell in the market. Whether it is patriotic, whether it is uniform, or whether it is the army, it is being sold in the market. This is a fact,” he says.
However, Colonel Rajeev is quick to clarify that his discomfort does not stem from the idea of patriotic cinema, but from the ‘modelled’ onscreen depiction of the lives and sacrifices of soldiers.
“For instance, Param Vir Chakra is bestowed on people who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the country. You don’t need background music to show that,” he adds. Drawing a parallel with the Republic Day parade, Colonel Rajeev says, “What happens on 26th January is raw and real. When people see our officers in uniform, it results in goosebumps.”
For him, this dilution germinates selective storytelling. Rather, he insists, such themes must have defence consultants on board to avoid such pitfalls. “They make films and then sprinkle them with small anecdotes, leaving out the real emotions. There are a few films which are good. But I feel if they had consulted and taken the right advice, then it would have added a lot of value.”
