Cinema, politics and the war on film critics

Cinema, politics and the war on film critics | South Central 59

5 months ago 81

#SouthCentral #newslaundry #republicday In this episode, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna discuss the organised hate campaigns against film reviewers in the country. The discussion spans themes including the communal profiling of actors and reviewers and delves into whether fan culture catalyses the polarisation of films based on nationalism, religion, and gender politics. Joining the hosts are acclaimed film critics Anna MM Vetticad and Sucharita Tyagi. Dhanya begins the discussion by recalling how Sucharita’s review of Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s controversial film Kabir Singh led to her becoming the subject of massive online harassment. “I have been reviewing for many years now, and I have noticed that before 2013 or 2014, the film fraternity has been responsive to me, irrespective of whether I have given a good or bad review. However, from 2013 onwards, fans and the entire online ecosystem became increasingly rabid, with the Modi era also making communalised pushback more pronounced. The response to the film became absolutely ugly after that. And as a woman critic, I was made aware, like never before, of my opinions, also as a minority identity professional in this ecosystem. I am now called a “rice bag Christian” or a “Christian, anti-Hindu commie”, says Anna. Sucharita says two recent films for which she has received the worst trolling are Chhaava and Dhurandhar. “This is the first time I had to turn off comments under my YouTube reviews. The responses were hate-filled, personal and really ugly. I have a very small platform, which does not compare to the star power or resources of these films. So why does one video of mine make such a difference? Initially, the trolls are nameless and faceless, then the political trolls come, with accounts that reveal their political and religious leanings. The comments keep making us feel that this job itself is irrelevant and that doing film reviews is unimportant work. I am just trying to engage with art and culture, and if the audience is actively shutting opinion off, that is overwhelmingly sad,” Sucharita adds. Pooja says that both the films Sucharita mentioned have a certain ideology – the former was accused of tweaking history, and the latter, of selling a jingoistic agenda. “Such films are also seen to be endorsed by Union ministers and sometimes even the PM. Does this impact the intensity of hate when a reviewer says they do not agree with such films?” she asks. Sucharita says that propaganda has existed earlier also. “But even criticising those films was quite okay a decade ago. Now, it is not welcome, and such muzzling of freedom of expression is scary,” she notes. This Republic Day, stand up for your rights: https://www.newslaundry.com/subscription?ref=republic Join the #FightToBreathe: https://rzp.io/rzp/T4Ob0FCb Download the accessible Newslaundry app: https://www.newslaundry.com/download-app Join us on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va61PEo0QeacOqU9vr2k Follow and engage with us on social media: Facebook: https://facebook.com/newslaundry Twitter: https://twitter.com/newslaundry Instagram: https://instagram.com/newslaundry

The Vision and Mission of Upilink News - Empowering Informed Citizens

Welcome to Upilink News, your gateway to unbiased news, investigative journalism, and a platform free from government censorship. At Upilink, we believe in the power of information to empower citizens, fostering a well-informed society capable of making informed decisions.

Our platform, hosted at www.news.upilink.in, is meticulously curated to provide users with a reliable source of news, steering clear of propaganda and ensuring the delivery of objective reporting.

The Need for Upilink News

In an era where information is abundant but often tainted with bias and misinformation, the need for a trustworthy news source has never been more critical. Upilink News recognizes this necessity and strives to fill the gap by offering a carefully curated selection of news from diverse, reputable sources.

Our commitment to unbiased reporting and investigative journalism distinguishes us as a beacon of truth in the digital news landscape.

Our Unique Approach

What sets Upilink News apart is our meticulous selection process for news sources.

We prioritize transparency, accountability, and reliability in our curation, ensuring that only the most credible and unbiased reports make it to our platform.

Our team of experienced journalists and fact-checkers work tirelessly to sift through the noise and present users with news that stands up to scrutiny.

The Role of Investigative Journalism

Investigative journalism is at the heart of Upilink News. We understand that a well-functioning democracy relies on an informed citizenry, and investigative reporting plays a pivotal role in uncovering the truth. By supporting and promoting investigative journalism, we aim to contribute to a more transparent and accountable society.

Sustaining Upilink News - Your Support Matters

Free Access for All

At Upilink News, we firmly believe that access to information should be a fundamental right for everyone. Therefore, our platform is entirely free to use, allowing users from all walks of life to stay informed without any financial barrier.

Donations - Fueling Independent Journalism

To sustain our commitment to unbiased reporting and investigative journalism, we rely on the generosity of our users. Your donations go directly towards supporting our team, maintaining our infrastructure, and enabling us to continually improve and expand our coverage.

By contributing, you become a vital part of the Upilink community, driving the mission to keep information free and accessible.

Advertisement - Balancing Sustainability

In addition to donations, we embrace advertisements as a means of generating revenue to support Upilink News.

In conclusion, Upilink News is more than just a news aggregator; it's a commitment to empowering citizens through unbiased information.

Join us in our mission, explore the diverse and credible news on our platform, and consider supporting us through donations. Together, let's build a community that values truth, transparency, and the power of an informed citizenry.