The Voice of the Marginalized Reflected in Indian Cinema
Kiran Maroti Turerao
Dr Subhash Sampat Waghmare
Abstract
Indian cinema has traversed a protracted historical evolution from the silent era to the present era of digital filmmaking. Dadasaheb Phalke’s pioneering contributions established the foundation for the Indian film industry, while Ardeshir Irani’s Alam Ara (1931) heralded the advent of sound films. Indian cinema underwent technological, thematic, and aesthetic changes while engaging with marginalized communities.
Mainstream cinema often reinforced dominant ideologies, but new wave filmmaking introduced alternative narratives that highlighted subaltern experiences. These films challenged caste hierarchies, economic inequalities, gender discrimination, and social exclusion. The article analyzes select Indian films to show how cinema reflects and amplifies marginalized groups’ concerns.
Keywords: Marginalised, Film, Caste, Indian Cinema, Dalit, Adivasi, Muslim, Women
DOI link – https://doi.org/10.69758/GIMRJ/2512S01V13P005
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