YOJANA November 2025

Early Beginnings (1896 – 1940s)

Birth of Indian Cinema

• 1896: Lumière Brothers’ films were first screened in Mumbai.
• Late 1910s: India witnessed its first motion picture.
• Dhundiraj Govind Phalke (Dadasaheb Phalke) introduced the film Raja Harishchandra, the first silent film.
• → He is known as the Father of Indian Cinema.
• Alam Ara (1931), directed by Ardeshir Irani, became India’s first sound film.
• 1918: Indian Cinematography Law passed for licensing cinema halls and censoring films. → Boards of censors were formed in provinces from 1920.
• 1937: Kisan Kanya by Moti B. Gidwani became India’s first colour film.

Important Early Milestones

• First Cinemascope film: Kagaz Ke Phool (1959) – Guru Dutt
• First 70 mm film: Around the World (1967) – Raj Kapoor
• First Sanskrit film: Adi Shankara – G. V. Iyer
• First Indian 3-D film: My Dear Kuttichathan (Malayalam)

The “Golden Era” & Parallel Cinema (1940s–1960s)

• The post-Independence era marked the Golden Age of Indian cinema.

Parallel Cinema / New Indian Cinema

• Originated in West Bengal in the 1950s.
• Inspired by Italian Neo-Realism; precursor to the Indian New Wave.
• Key figures: Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak, Mrinal Sen.
• Characteristics:
• Serious themes, realism, naturalism
• Sociopolitical issues
• Rejection of formulaic song-dance
• Notable works: Savkari Pash, Duniya Na Mane.

Global Recognition

• Satyajit Ray becomes one of the most internationally acclaimed filmmakers.
• Indians who won Oscar: Bhanu Athaiya, Satyajit Ray, Resul Pookutty, A.R. Rahman, Gulzar.

Social Realism to Cultural Transition (1950s–1990s)

1950s–60s: Nationalism & Realism

• Haqeeqat depicted experiences of soldiers during the Sino-Indian War.
• Do Bigha Zamin highlighted rural distress.
• Ray’s Pather Panchali showed rural Bengal’s hardships.
• Dahej, Devi portrayed women’s limited agency.

1970s: Angry Young Man & Emergency Era

• Themes of social injustice, unemployment, corruption.
• Mrinal Sen’s Calcutta 71 reflected Naxal-era turmoil.
• Parallel cinema expanded through films like Manthan, Sparsh.

1990s: Globalization & Cultural Shifts

• Themes of materialism, identity, and gender roles.
• Mirch Masala challenged gender norms.
• Astitva examined patriarchy, extramarital relations.
• Literary adaptations:
• – The Play of God (Malayalam)
• – Antareen (Mrinal Sen)

Contemporary Cinema & Regional Renaissance (2000s–2025)

Early 2000s: Realism & Social Critique

• Films like Chandni Bar, Black Friday explored underworld violence, exploitation.
• The Namesake addressed migration and identity.
• Women-centric films: Pink, Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey.
• LGBTQ+ representation: Kaathal, Samo – The Equals.

Post-2020: OTT Revolution

• OTT gave space to regional films traditionally overlooked in theatres.
• Breakout regional films:
• – The Great Indian Kitchen (Malayalam)
• – Court, Sairat (Marathi)
• Technical advancement comparable to Hollywood (e.g., Baahubali).

Contribution of the Indian Diaspora

The Indian diaspora has helped promote Indian cinema globally, boosting film visibility and cultural reach.

A. Positive Impacts

B. Negative Impacts of Cinema on Society

Indian cinema remains a powerful tool of mass communication, capable of driving social change, celebrating cultural plurality, and shaping public consciousness. Yet issues of stereotyping, sensationalism, and politicization call for greater ethical responsibility. Balancing creative freedom with social accountability is vital to ensure cinema strengthens India’s social fabric rather than distorts it.

Indian Cinema as a Pillar of India’s Soft Power

• Projection of Culture and Values- Drawing from Joseph Nye’s concept of soft power as influence through attraction, Indian cinema has acted as a cultural ambassador.
• Through themes of family bonds, social harmony, non-violence, spirituality, and resilience, Indian films introduce global audiences to Indian civilisational values.
• Films like Lagaan, Swadesh, and RRR highlight cultural pride and national ethos, reinforcing India’s global image.
• Global Reach and Popularity- Indian cinema enjoys significant viewership across South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Russia, and East Asia.
• Bollywood stars have become global icons, while regional cinema—Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam—has expanded India’s cultural footprint.
• The success of Dangal in China, Baahubali across Asia, and The Elephant Whisperers on global platforms demonstrates cinema’s role in shaping positive perceptions.
• Unique Storytelling and Cultural Expression- Indian cinema blends music, dance, emotional depth, and colorful aesthetics, creating a distinct narrative style.
• This uniqueness differentiates India in a globalised media space, reinforcing cultural identity while appealing to diverse audiences.
• Genres spanning romance, social drama, mythology, and contemporary issues make Indian cinema both inclusive and globally relatable.
• Cultural Diplomacy and People-to-People Ties- Cinema aids diplomacy by fostering cross-cultural understanding.
• Iconic songs, dialogues, and characters have permeated global pop culture, strengthening India’s soft influence.
• Film festivals, international co-productions, and global award recognitions further enhance India’s diplomatic outreach.

Relevance in the Context of India’s Cultural Diversity

• Showcasing India’s Pluralism- Indian cinema reflects India’s linguistic, regional, and cultural diversity— from Punjabi folk narratives to Tamil historical epics, Bengali art films, and Marathi social dramas.
• This diversity strengthens India’s soft power by showcasing unity in diversity, one of India’s strongest cultural assets.
• Platform for Marginalized Voices- Contemporary films increasingly highlight issues of gender justice, caste inequality, LGBTQ+ rights, disability, and social reform. This strengthens India’s identity as an inclusive, progressive democracy committed to human dignity.

Relevance to India’s Global Aspirations

• Enhancing India’s Global Brand- As India aspires to become a leading global power, cinema supports this ambition by projecting an image of a modern, democratic, culturally confident nation. It aids nation branding in tourism, investment, and international cooperation.
• Economic Contribution and Global Visibility- The Indian film industry—one of the largest globally— contributes substantially to GDP, employment, and creative exports. International collaborations and streaming platforms amplify India’s global presence.
• Soft Power in the Asian Century- As India deepens engagements in the Indo-Pacific, Africa, and Europe, cinema serves as a strategic tool to build goodwill, counter stereotypes, and expand India’s influence through non-coercive means.

Indian cinema effectively projects India’s cultural diversity and values, making it a key instrument of soft power. As India pursues greater global influence, cinema will continue to strengthen its international image and diplomatic outreach.

Key Provisions

• Complete Digital & Time-Bound Certification- The rules fully shift certification to a digitised platform, reducing processing delays, improving transparency, and accelerating decision-making—boosting the film industry’s regulatory efficiency.
• Mandatory Accessibility Features- Films must incorporate accessibility features (subtitles, audio descriptions, etc.), promoting inclusivity and aligning with Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) principles.
• Age-Based Sub-Categorization- The traditional UA category is refined into UA 7+, UA 13+, and UA 16+, supporting age-appropriate viewing and enhancing parental guidance mechanisms.
• Gender Representation in CBFC- Mandates one-third women in the CBFC Board and encourages 50% women in Advisory Panels, strengthening gender-sensitive content evaluation.
• Priority Screening Facility- Introduces priority screening for filmmakers with urgent release commitments, fostering industry responsiveness and improving ease of compliance.
• Perpetual Certificate Validity- Removes the earlier 10-year limit, granting perpetual validity to film certificates—beneficial for long-term distribution, archiving, and OTT/TV releases.
• Recertification for TV Broadcast- Films edited for television require fresh certification, ensuring only U-category or appropriately modified versions reach family-oriented audiences.

Significance

• Contemporary & Tech-Aligned Governance- Reflects shifts in film technology, OTT consumption, and audience diversity, making the system adaptive and modern.
• Strengthened Regulatory Architecture- Creates synergy with the 2023 Cinematograph amendments, reinforcing anti-piracy measures, accountability, and institutional clarity.
• Better Ease of Doing Business- Digital workflows, faster timelines, and priority screenings enhance the creative sector’s productivity and reduce compliance burdens.
• Inclusive & Ethical Certification- Accessibility mandates and increased women’s representation contribute to a more equitable, sensitive, and socially responsible certification regime.

The Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024 mark a move toward a modern, inclusive, and industryfriendly regulatory regime. By integrating digital systems, refining age classifications, ensuring accessibility, and promoting gender representation, the rules strengthen India’s cultural governance and support the country’s expanding creative economy while safeguarding public interest.