Marjuque Ul Haque
Independent Researcher, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 16, Issue 1, 2024. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v16n1.05g
[Article History: Received: 06 March 2023. Revised: 05 March 2024. Accepted: 06 March 2024. Published: 06 March 2024]
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Abstract
This paper aims to explore how Afghanistan is represented in two mainstream Bollywood films from the pre-9/11 period using Orientalism as a theoretical framework. While much literature exists on Afghanistan being Orientalized in Hollywood films, Bollywood representations of Afghanistan have not been studied from similar critical lenses. With the recent takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban after a twenty-year-long war, it is more urgent than ever today to examine Bollywood representations of Afghanistan given the crucial importance of India as a key geopolitical entity in the region. The paper shall study two films from the pre-9/11 period in order to understand if Bollywood has Orientalized the region like mainstream Hollywood films. Bollywood films well known for taking their influences from Hollywood productions, make it likely to be the case.
Keywords: Afghanistan, Noble Savage, Orientalism, Othering, Bollywood, Hollywood, Dharmatma, Khuda Gawah, 9/11, US Media.
Sustainable Development Goals: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Citation: Haque, M. U. (2024). Savage Desires: Afghanistan as a Site for Othering in Dharmatma and Khuda Gawah. Rupkatha Journal 16:1. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v16n1.05g
