Narratives of Nationhood: A Comparative Analysis of Political Communication in Indian Cinema and News Media
Author : Anshika and Dr. Shivendu Kumar Rai
Abstract :
Political communication in India has historically evolved through layered narratives shaped by culture, cinematic imagination and media discourse. While news media communicates political reality through immediacy, cinema constructs political meaning through metaphor, emotion and narrative symbolism. This research paper conducts a comparative analysis of political communication in Indian cinema and news media, examining how both mediums craft nationhood, represent political identity and influence public understanding of democracy. Through a qualitative content analysis of landmark films (Lagaan, Rang De Basanti, Uri, Article 15) and news genres (primetime debates, election coverage, political satire), the study highlights patterns in messaging, ideology, framing and emotional appeal. It argues that while cinema offers mythic, long-form emotional nation-building, news media produces fragmented, fast-paced and often polarized political communication. The paper concludes by suggesting how both mediums can contribute to a more reflective, inclusive narrative of Indian nationhood.
Keywords :
Indian Cinema, News Media, Political Communication, Nationhood, Narrative Studies, Media Representation.
