Professor, Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, Uttar-Pradesh, India.
JournalRVIMJ
Volume / Issue2 / 10
Pages44–51
Published31 Oct 2025
Paper IDRVIMJ210OS250007
Views / Downloads1 / 1
Article summary
Abstract
This paper critically examines the representation of tribal communities in India’s non-mainstream film movement, commonly known as Parallel Cinema. It highlights a gap in scholarship, which has often engaged with caste and class but neglected tribal identity. The study argues that tribal portrayals have shifted from an early “urban gaze,” rooted in stereotypes, to more authentic and politically resistant narratives. Drawing on the concept of “othering,” the paper analyzes Satyajit Ray’s (Ray, 1970) Aranyer Din Ratri, where tribal figures appear as symbolic foils for urban protagonists, reflecting the limitations of early humanist cinema. It then explores a transformative phase in the works of Mrinal Sen and Goutam Ghose. Films like Mrigayaa and Dakhal frame tribal life as allegories of systemic exploitation and resistance to state and patriarchal oppression. The analysis concludes with contemporary films such as Udalaaazham and Jai Bhim, which represent a new commitment to authenticity through indigenous casting and native languages. By restoring agency to tribal voices, these films mark cinema itself as an act of resistance. The paper contends that while Parallel Cinema laid the groundwork, the pursuit of trulyequitable representation remains unfinished.
Anshul Mehrotra, Mukul Srivastava (2025). Cinematic Politics: Exploring Tribal Identity and Resistance in Indian Parallel Cinema– A Case Study. Research Vidyapith International Multidisciplinary Journal, 2(10), 44–51. https://www.researchvidyapith.com/article/rvimj210os250007/cinematic-politics-exploring-tribal-identity-and-resistance-in-indian-parallel-cinema-a-case-study
Anshul Mehrotra, Mukul Srivastava. “Cinematic Politics: Exploring Tribal Identity and Resistance in Indian Parallel Cinema– A Case Study.” Research Vidyapith International Multidisciplinary Journal, vol. 2, no. 10, 2025, pp. 44–51. https://www.researchvidyapith.com/article/rvimj210os250007/cinematic-politics-exploring-tribal-identity-and-resistance-in-indian-parallel-cinema-a-case-study
Anshul Mehrotra, Mukul Srivastava. “Cinematic Politics: Exploring Tribal Identity and Resistance in Indian Parallel Cinema– A Case Study.” Research Vidyapith International Multidisciplinary Journal 2, no. 10 (2025): 44–51. https://www.researchvidyapith.com/article/rvimj210os250007/cinematic-politics-exploring-tribal-identity-and-resistance-in-indian-parallel-cinema-a-case-study
Anshul Mehrotra, Mukul Srivastava (2025) ‘Cinematic Politics: Exploring Tribal Identity and Resistance in Indian Parallel Cinema– A Case Study’, Research Vidyapith International Multidisciplinary Journal, 2(10), pp. 44–51. Available at: https://www.researchvidyapith.com/article/rvimj210os250007/cinematic-politics-exploring-tribal-identity-and-resistance-in-indian-parallel-cinema-a-case-study.
Anshul Mehrotra, Mukul Srivastava, “Cinematic Politics: Exploring Tribal Identity and Resistance in Indian Parallel Cinema– A Case Study,” Research Vidyapith International Multidisciplinary Journal, vol. 2, no. 10, pp. 44–51, 2025. https://www.researchvidyapith.com/article/rvimj210os250007/cinematic-politics-exploring-tribal-identity-and-resistance-in-indian-parallel-cinema-a-case-study.
Anshul Mehrotra, Mukul Srivastava. Cinematic Politics: Exploring Tribal Identity and Resistance in Indian Parallel Cinema– A Case Study. Research Vidyapith International Multidisciplinary Journal. 2025;2(10):44–51. https://www.researchvidyapith.com/article/rvimj210os250007/cinematic-politics-exploring-tribal-identity-and-resistance-in-indian-parallel-cinema-a-case-study.
Anshul Mehrotra, Mukul Srivastava. Cinematic Politics: Exploring Tribal Identity and Resistance in Indian Parallel Cinema– A Case Study. Research Vidyapith International Multidisciplinary Journal 2025, 2 (10), 44–51. https://www.researchvidyapith.com/article/rvimj210os250007/cinematic-politics-exploring-tribal-identity-and-resistance-in-indian-parallel-cinema-a-case-study.
No separate funding declaration was available in the verified source record; the journal policy applies.
Conflict of Interest
No separate conflict-of-interest declaration was available in the verified source record; the journal policy applies.
Ethical Approval
No separate ethical approval statement was available in the verified source record; the article and journal policies apply.
Data Availability
No separate data-availability statement was available in the verified source record; contact the author(s) or editorial office where appropriate.
Author Contributions
No separate author-contribution statement was available in the verified source record; authorship follows the published article record.
AI-use Declaration
No separate AI-use declaration was available in the verified source record; the journal AI-use policy applies.
Editorial record
Publisher's Note
The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author(s). Publication does not imply endorsement by the journal, editorial board or publisher. Responsibility for accuracy, originality and integrity remains with the author(s). Readers should independently evaluate and verify information before application or citation.
