The recently unveiled trailer for the Indian film “Fighter” has once again brought attention to Bollywood’s recurring inclination towards anti-Pakistan narratives. Despite boasting a star-studded cast including Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone, and Anil Kapoor, the film has faced criticism for its controversial statements portraying India as the “owner” of Kashmir and subtly alluding to the notion of “Indian Occupied Pakistan,” suggesting potential retaliation.
Social media users, including makeup artist Natasha Ali Lakhani, have expressed their discontent and ridiculed Bollywood for distorting reality to fit a particular agenda. Lakhani, sharing images from her previous trip to India, emphasized the stark contrast between the depicted narrative in films and the actual warmth and hospitality experienced during her visit. She questioned why patriotic movies can’t focus on bringing the two countries together and promoting positive stories without disparaging Pakistan.
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In her Instagram post, Lakhani recalled her positive interactions with people in India, highlighting the absence of politics or hatred and the abundance of love and acceptance. She called for a shift away from promoting divisive and biased content on influential platforms like Bollywood, urging the industry to create narratives that foster connection rather than tearing nations apart.
The sentiments were echoed by others on the platform, with some pointing out the glorification of flaws in the trailer. Criticism included questioning the purpose of a movie promoting events from four years ago, which resulted in an Indian jet being shot down by Pakistan and an Indian helicopter being downed by India itself. Users expressed dissatisfaction with what they perceived as Indian propaganda and called for more responsible and inclusive storytelling in cinema and art during such critical times.
