Introduction: Muslims in Postcolonial Bollywood: Theoretical debates and Methodological Positions

Abstract

Abstract This chapter seeks to capture a brief historical background the changing image of Muslims in popular Bollywood films over the last seven decades and how in Hindi films, Muslims have traditionally been portrayed through the lens of religion. Narratives associated with that specific religious identity were adapted based on the sociopolitical setting of the country at the time of the film’s making. The chapter provides theoretical debates on the formation of Muslim identity using one of the most important and well-known theories i.e. Orientalist discourse. Moreover, it also outlines the methodological positions. Through different points of view, qualitative method is utilized to deal with the complexities of Bollywood films and via in-depth interviews, the research presented here attempts to capture these notions through the understandings of the audience, film critics, and filmmakers on the specified issues connected to either film texts concerning Muslims or the politics of making those texts.