In an era where entertainment and information blend seamlessly, Bollywood wields enormous influence over the collective consciousness of the nation. But with great power comes great responsibility – a responsibility that, time and again, is blatantly ignored. The latest offenders? The web series IC 814 and Berlin, both of which take creative liberties to an alarming new low, portraying Indian intelligence agencies in a shoddy, almost laughable, light.
Let’s be clear – creative liberty is important. It allows filmmakers to craft stories that are engaging, thought-provoking, and artistically significant. But when that liberty is used to distort history, undermine national interests, and erode public trust in critical institutions such as RAW and IB, it becomes not just irresponsible but downright dangerous.
Bollywood’s Creative Freedom or National Sabotage?
In IC 814, the re-telling of the infamous 1999 hijacking incident, Indian agencies are painted as bumbling, indecisive, and ineffective. The narrative suggests that India’s intelligence and security apparatus are riddled with incompetence, a gross misrepresentation of the truth. Is this what Bollywood has to offer in the name of entertainment? Twisted facts and a skewed portrayal of national security at a time when the country is grappling with real threats?
And then there’s Berlin, which, in its attempt to weave a gripping spy thriller, completely neglects the immense sacrifices and the grueling realities faced by India’s intelligence operatives. Instead of showcasing the courage and tactical prowess of Indian agents, the series indulges in a caricature of our intelligence services, making them appear laughably inept. It’s a slap in the face to those who serve tirelessly in the shadows, protecting the nation from existential threats.
Why Choose to Undermine the Nation’s Pillars?
It’s one thing to explore the fallibility of individuals within a system, but entirely another to perpetuate a narrative that paints the entire system as corrupt or incompetent. Bollywood seems to have forgotten that these agencies represent the nation’s last line of defence against enemies – both within and outside. Would Hollywood ever make a series mocking the CIA in such a crass manner? Absolutely not. National interests are paramount, and American storytellers, despite their creative liberties, seldom undermine their country’s core institutions so carelessly.
Why can’t Bollywood take a cue from that? Why can’t our filmmakers exercise creative freedom in a way that builds, not breaks, national pride?
The Line Between Fiction and Sabotage
What IC 814 and Berlin have done is cross the line between fiction and national sabotage. In a country where millions consume Bollywood content as their primary source of historical and political knowledge, such portrayals leave lasting impressions. By presenting our intelligence agencies as inefficient, Bollywood is not just hurting public perception; it’s doing the dirty work of India’s adversaries. Why offer ammunition to anti-India narratives when the truth is far more compelling – and heroic?
Creative Liberty Should Not Equal Irresponsibility
The argument in favour of “artistic freedom” often comes up when critiquing such shows. But when does this freedom start to harm the nation’s interests? When does it become irresponsible? The truth is, when Bollywood portrays Indian agencies in bad light, it does more than entertain; it misinforms, misguides, and misrepresents. And in today’s world, where propaganda and misinformation are as powerful as bullets and bombs, this is a perilous path.
Dear Bollywood, you have the power to influence, to inspire, and to instill pride. So why, instead, do you continue to glorify dysfunction and depict our protectors as the problem?
The Need for Nationalism in Art
Let’s be honest, nationalism in cinema doesn’t mean blind jingoism. It doesn’t mean erasing flaws or glossing over tough realities. But it does mean showing the truth with dignity. It means highlighting the challenges, yes, but also celebrating the triumphs. Why should nationalism be seen as an artistic compromise? Why can’t our filmmakers use their platform to showcase the resilience, brilliance, and strategic genius of our agencies, rather than repeatedly throwing them under the bus for the sake of drama?
Instead of sensationalising failures, why not create compelling narratives around the true stories of intelligence success? Why not humanise, not villainise, those who serve in the shadows?
A Call for Responsibility, Not Censorship
This is not a call for censorship. It’s a call for responsibility. Bollywood needs to wake up to its own power and its duty to the nation. We don’t need propaganda films, but we do need films that are conscious of their impact on national sentiment, public trust, and historical accuracy. Our intelligence agencies deserve better. Our nation deserves better.
IC 814 and Berlin are the latest in a string of Bollywood productions that seem to revel in discrediting India’s defenders. But enough is enough. Dear Bollywood, you owe it to the people of India to balance creative freedom with national interest. The line between entertainment and defamation is thin – but it’s time you learn to walk it.
The Middle Class Hub believes that cinema, as a powerful medium, has a responsibility toward nation-building, not nation-bashing. Let’s hope Bollywood starts wielding its creative liberty for the right reasons before the damage becomes irreparable.
