Caste System in India and Its Representation in Popular Cinema
Confronting Caste in Hinduism, the Fight for Justice, and Cinema as a Tool for Change
Was Agent 15 a savior narrative led by an upper-caste hero?
The caste system in Hinduism is one of the most persistent forms of social hierarchy, deeply ingrained in India’s cultural and social fabric. Despite constitutional guarantees of equality, caste continues to dictate access to education, economic opportunities, and social mobility, perpetuating systemic violence and exclusion. At its core, caste discrimination in India reinforces a brutal logic of purity and impurity, one that denies the humanity of millions based on an accident of birth. For those seeking to dismantle this structure, confronting its role in religious, social, and cultural norms is crucial. At Hindus for Human Rights (HfHR), we believe in the need for a radically inclusive Hinduism that directly challenges the caste system’s dehumanizing impact. Our commitment to anti-caste values can be explored through resources like our FAQ on caste and anti-caste positions, where we detail our stance on being an anti-caste Hindu organization and the broader struggle for a caste-free society. HfHR’s focus on solidarity with caste-oppressed communities reflects a vision for a society where dignity and equality transcend traditional social hierarchies.
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One way to analyze and express the contemporary conversation on caste is through cinema, where stories can both reflect and challenge societal norms. Indian and South Asian pop culture have increasingly used film as a medium to grapple with the complexities of caste, bringing these stories into mainstream discourse even as caste as a topic becomes more salient in the global conversation. A recent film that has brought this discussion to the forefront is Jai Bhim (2021), which centers on caste oppression and state violence. This film, set in Tamil Nadu, uses the legal drama format to explore the stark realities of the caste system in Hinduism and the systemic caste discrimination in India.
A Look at Jai Bhim (2021): Confronting the Reality of Caste Violence
Released in 2021, Jai Bhim has become a powerful cultural reference point in discussions about the caste system in Hinduism. Directed by T.J. Gnanavel, the film is inspired by true events and follows the story of a marginalized tribal woman, Sengeni, who seeks justice for her husband, Rajakannu, after he is wrongfully detained and brutally tortured by the police. Rajakannu's identity as a member of a Scheduled Tribe becomes central to his victimization, highlighting the intersection of caste-based prejudice and police violence. Jai Bhim shines a light on the ways in which the caste system in Hinduism can be weaponized by those in power, turning caste discrimination in India into a legal and bureaucratic ordeal that strips away basic human rights.
Lijomol Jose in 'Jai Bhim'
The film’s protagonist, Chandru, a lawyer modeled after the real-life Justice K. Chandru, represents a beacon of hope as he takes up Sengeni’s case. Lijomol Jose’s portrayal of Sengeni, a woman from a marginalized tribal community, is equally if not more powerful. Her character embodies resilience and strength, refusing to give up in the face of systemic injustice and fighting for the dignity of her missing husband, Rajakannu. Lijomol's performance brings depth and humanity to Sengeni's struggle, capturing the grief, frustration, and determination of someone whose voice is often unheard in the broader discourse. Through his fight in the courtroom, Jai Bhim exposes the institutional barriers that marginalized communities face and critiques the systemic casteism embedded within the legal and police systems. The film’s graphic depiction of police brutality and its focus on the caste-based injustices endured by tribal and Dalit communities have sparked a broader conversation, both online and offline, about the ongoing struggle against caste discrimination in India.
Caste in Indian Cinema: A Shifting Narrative
The focus on Jai Bhim offers an opportunity to look back at how the representation of caste discrimination in India in films has evolved. Historically, mainstream Indian cinema, especially in Bollywood, has avoided directly engaging with caste, opting instead for broader themes of love, family, and national identity. This avoidance reflects the reluctance within Indian society to confront the caste system in Hinduism head-on. When caste was mentioned, it was often sanitized or portrayed through a romantic lens, as seen in films like Bandini (1963) or Ganga Jumna (1961), where social issues took a backseat to love stories.
The Role of Caste in Ganga Jumna: A Critique of the Strategy of Subtle Critique
In Ganga Jumna (1961), the issue of caste discrimination in India is present, though often subtly woven into the story’s themes of family and love. Set in rural India, the film follows the lives of two brothers, Ganga and Jumna, who come from a lower-caste background. The social and economic struggles they face are shaped by the rigid hierarchies of the caste system in Hinduism. Ganga, the elder brother, remains in the village, enduring discrimination and exploitation from upper-caste landlords. His lower social standing limits his opportunities and ultimately pushes him into rebellion against the oppressive structures represented by the local zamindar and corrupt police. His transformation into an outlaw symbolizes his struggle against a system that keeps him at the margins.
In contrast, Jumna, the younger brother, manages to escape the constraints of the village and obtain an education, becoming a police officer. This divergence in their paths reflects the uneven possibilities for social mobility within the caste system. While the film emphasizes the dramatic tension between the brothers and their respective love interests, these relationships also serve as a critique of how caste hierarchies dictate one's fate. Yet, the film's subtle handling of caste can be seen as reflective of the political strategies and cultural forces of the time, where direct critiques of social hierarchies were often tempered to align with nationalist sentiments and avoid alienating mainstream audiences. During the post-independence era, filmmakers frequently chose to wrap social commentary in palatable narratives, wary of provoking backlash or being labeled as divisive. Today, however, this approach may be seen as a missed opportunity—one that avoided a deeper confrontation with the caste system in Hinduism and failed to challenge viewers to confront the systemic nature of caste discrimination in India. In retrospect, the film's choices highlight how cultural productions of the time navigated the tensions between addressing social issues and maintaining broad appeal, a balance that contemporary cinema increasingly challenges with more direct depictions of caste oppression. Although Ganga Jumna wraps its critique in a story of family loyalty and sacrifice, it nonetheless reveals the enduring impact of caste discrimination in India, even if it doesn't address it as overtly as more recent films..
A Stark Approach in Ankur: Confronting Caste Directly
In contrast to the more romanticized portrayals of caste in earlier films like Ganga Jumna, Shyam Benegal's Ankur (1974) marked a significant shift toward a more direct and unflinching depiction of the caste system in Hinduism. Set in rural Andhra Pradesh, Ankur tells the story of a Dalit couple—Lakshmi, a woman from a marginalized caste, and her deaf-mute husband—whose lives are disrupted when Surya, a young, educated landlord from an upper-caste family, takes an interest in Lakshmi. The film explores the deeply entrenched power dynamics between the upper-caste landlord and the lower-caste laborers, exposing how caste intersects with class and gender to sustain exploitation and oppression.
Unlike the sanitized narratives of earlier films, Ankur presents caste as an everyday reality that shapes relationships, dictates social hierarchies, and perpetuates cycles of poverty and subjugation. Through the character of Lakshmi, the film shows how the marginalized face daily indignities, yet also resist in quiet, subtle ways. Ankur was groundbreaking in its refusal to sugarcoat the brutality of caste-based discrimination, offering a raw and honest portrayal that challenged viewers to confront the injustices in Indian society. Its stark realism, minimalist style, and focus on social issues over melodrama made it a seminal work in Indian parallel cinema, paving the way for a more critical and unvarnished approach to the subject of caste discrimination in India.
The Contemporary Shift: Films Like Jai Bhim and Article 15
In recent years, the landscape of Indian cinema has changed significantly, with more mainstream filmmakers engaging with the caste system in Hinduism as a central theme. Tamil cinema, in particular, has led the way with films like Jai Bhim, which dramatized the struggles of an Adivasi woman fighting against caste-based police brutality. This film, inspired by real events, highlighted how caste and state power intersect to oppress marginalized communities. Its success on streaming platforms brought this conversation into the homes of urban, middle-class viewers who might otherwise not have engaged with these issues about caste discrimination in India.
Similarly, Hindi films like Article 15 (2019) have approached the subject from a police procedural perspective, using the lens of an outsider to expose the systemic nature of the caste system in Hinduism. While the film garnered praise for addressing a rarely discussed issue, it also faced criticism for relying on a savior narrative led by an upper-caste protagonist, which some felt undermined the lived experiences of those directly affected by caste-based violence. Despite its flaws, Article 15 succeeded in bringing the topic of caste discrimination in India to a broader audience, forcing many to reckon with a reality they might prefer to ignore.
Why Jai Bhim Matters: A New Era of Caste Conversations
Jai Bhim builds on these developments but also signifies a new direction. Unlike earlier films that often made caste the central issue, Jai Bhim places caste dynamics at the heart of its narrative, portraying it as an inescapable part of everyday life rather than a separate subject for social commentary. This approach reflects a growing maturity in Indian cinema’s handling of social issues, where the caste system in Hinduism is not merely a backdrop but an active part of the narrative that shapes the characters' choices and fates. By doing so, it has reignited debates about caste and privilege, especially among younger viewers who are increasingly vocal on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
Discussions around Jai Bhim have emphasized how the caste system in Hinduism influences characters’ social mobility, interactions with law enforcement, and even their moral choices. Audiences have taken to social media to discuss how the film exposes the subtle ways caste can determine access to resources and opportunities, revealing how deeply embedded these structures remain in contemporary society. This engagement has helped keep the film, and the conversation it prompts, in the public eye, making it a trending topic and a crucial part of ongoing dialogues about social justice in India.
Art, Activism, and the Path Forward
For those engaged in social justice work, like Hindus for Human Rights, these films offer important opportunities for engagement. They are not only pieces of art but also cultural artifacts that can shape public perception and spark crucial conversations about the ongoing relevance of the caste system in Hinduism. By promoting discussions about films like Jai Bhim, activists can connect the cultural representation of caste with the real-world struggles for equality and justice.
This evolving conversation also challenges the film industry itself, calling for greater representation of marginalized voices in storytelling. As viewers and critics push for more authenticity, the demand for stories that reflect the complexities of the caste system in Hinduism—and are told by those who live with its impacts—continues to grow.
In the end, films like Jai Bhim remind us that cinema can be a powerful tool for change, offering a mirror to society’s inequities while also imagining a world where such hierarchies might be dismantled. As these stories make their way into living rooms, theaters, and digital screens, they invite us all to reflect on the caste system in Hinduism, its deep-rooted impact, and the possibility of a more just future. By continuing to support and engage with these cultural expressions, we can hope to create a space where art and activism meet, pushing the boundaries of what Indian cinema—and Indian society—can become.