In India, as the largest election in the world draws to a close, the subject of movies, TV and social media have come up a lot. Specifically, is Bollywood — an industry that churns out more than 1,500 movies a year — being used to influence voters? On today’s Don’t Call Me Resilient podcast, cinema studies scholar Rakesh Sengupta of the University of Toronto and gender studies political scientist Sikata Banerjee of the University of Victoria get into it. In our conversation, Sengupta said: “There has been this peculiar trend in Bollywood, where instead of inventing original heroes or superheroes, many Bollywood filmmakers now are relying on real events, stories, places. They frequently retain the original names of the characters as well, but there’s significant rewriting of those histories.”

Banerjee and Sengupta both say these new films often display mythical physical strength from Hindu leaders against oppressors, who are often British or Muslim and often feature “alternative histories.” Some of the films are obviously anti-Muslim, while others contain more subtle messages. Some feature a modern India and its economic and development successes.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his right-leaning, fundamentalist BJP party, currently seeking a third term, are bolstered by ideas coming out of these films and the accompanying social media conversations swirling around them.

On this week’s Don’t Call Me Resilient podcast, Sengupta and Banerjee explore the intersections of this fascinating conversation, as the world awaits the official results from India’s election.

You may also be interested in revisiting our episode from last year with UCSC feminist studies professor Anjali Arondekar who is also co-director of UCSC’s Center for South Asian Studies. In the episode, we discuss the ways in which the global South Asian diaspora — including those in Canada — fuel the hype around Modi, who remains one of the world’s most popular (and controversial) world leaders.

Also today:

• These tips can help keep you safe during a potentially severe 2024 wildfire season
• Vaping in schools: Ontario’s $30 million for surveillance and security won’t address student needs
• ChatGPT’s use of a soundalike Scarlett Johansson reflects a troubling history of gender-stereotyping in technology
• What the International Criminal Court’s anticipated arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Hamas leaders mean for Canada

All the best.