Why Bollywood Movies Are Always Analysed Through a Political Viewpoint

India's largest and most influential film industry named Bollywood has been entertaining the Indian audience with its catchy songs, meaningful scripts and shaping cultural norms. Due to this, Bollywood films intentionally or unintentionally are often examined from a political viewpoint. This tendency has increased in recent years among audiences and critics, the recent being the 2025 Bollywood film 'Dhurandhar'. 

Bollywood is routinely being politicised in India because it has served a tool for nation-building. For years, Bollywood films have addressed themes such as national security, social inequality, patriarchy and secularism. Even movies which are commercial entertainers often talk about political narratives about unity, morality or nationalism. Thus a film like 'Dhurandhar' explores issues of corruption, governance, terrorism through its plot and characters and the viewers instinctively search for parallels to real political figures or current events.

Another reason is wide reach and cultural dominance. One film can influence millions making cinema a powerful medium for a politically charged society. Films are frequently scrutinised for its message irrespective of whether it is progressive, conservative and nationalist. Social media increases this scrutiny by making many interpretations, debates and controversies. In Dhurandhar, political drama and storytelling are blended together and audiences dissected every dialogue and characters to determine which one conforms or criticise contemporary political ideologies. The film portrays an ambiguous hero who navigates power struggles while working as an undercover agent for the Indian Government even though the film is marketed as mainstream fiction.

Furthermore, politicians often participate in debates regarding Bollywood. Films' ability to influence public opinion means that they can become tools for political debates. Political leaders often endorse films that support their viewpoints and criticise those that appear to undermine them, which in turn prompts audiences to interpret cinema through a political lens. This dynamic is not limited to explicitly political movies; even genres like romance or action can attract political scrutiny when they touch upon delicate themes such as faith, gender dynamics, or national security. Dhurandhar experienced this as well, with observers questioning whether its plot reflected present-day political realities, leading to both approval and criticism from people associated with various political groups.

Finally, the public has become politically aware of the situation they are in. Viewers do not approach a film purely for entertainment but also for its ideological values. Bollywood movies are frequently interpreted in political terms because of their historical roots, cultural impact, the engagement of political actors, and the evolving perspectives of viewers. Dhurandhar illustrates this clearly, demonstrating that even films created primarily for entertainment are often analysed for their political undertones in a landscape where filmmaking and politics are deeply intertwined.