This study explores how Hindi cinema contributes to India’s evolving nationhood by shaping citizen consciousness in a rapidly transforming cultural and democratic landscape. Drawing on Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) and Benedict Anderson’s theory of Imagined Communities, it analyzes five thematically significant films—Swades (2004), Rang De Basanti (2006), 3 Idiots (2009), Dangal (2016), and Raazi (2018)—selected for their basis in real events and emphasis on education, gender empowerment, ethical decision-making, and civic responsibility.
These films collectively redefine patriotism as ethical engagement, emotional courage, and participatory citizenship, rather than state-centered nationalism. The unit of analysis includes narrative structure, symbolic visuals, and ideologically charged dialogues. Using Fairclough’s three-dimensional CDA model, the study uncovers how cinema operates as a cultural discourse that fosters civic reflection and inclusion.
This study shows that these films construct a symbolic vocabulary through which diverse audiences—across region, class, and language—can imagine themselves as active agents in shaping the nation. They present national identity as evolving, inclusive, and morally grounded.
By extending Anderson’s framework to the realm of visual culture, the study demonstrates how popular cinema mediates civic imagination in complex, multilingual societies. CDA proves essential in linking narrative form with ideological meaning. As India moves toward a more equitable and globally visible future, this research underscores cinema’s power to shape national values and actively participates in shaping the ethos of an emerging, democratic nation.
In doing so, it affirms cinema’s enduring role in how India sees itself—and how the world may come to understand India anew.

Authors:
Ravi Sehrawat, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, India
Sachin Bharti, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, India

About the Presenter(s)
Passionate about cinema and media in shaping narratives, culture, and society. Currently in my fourth year of PhD research, I explore the intersections of film studies, media discourse, and nation-building and cinema.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Friday Schedule

Bookmark