The Indian Diaspora between the Self and the Other in Transnational Cinema

Abstract

Movies serve as a potent medium for exploring history, authentic identities, ancestral roots, and cultural connections. The broad concept of cinema significantly influences various aspects of our global society. The Indian diaspora, notably showcased in Bollywood, introduces new values that sometimes generate divisions from Western perspectives due to the diaspora's transnational dimensions. The study focuses on how Indian Americans are depicted in popular Bollywood films within a global context. Therefore, their on-screen representation plays a significant role in perpetuating or challenging existing stereotypes in both their home country and the countries they migrate to. The films discussed through a qualitative descriptive approach can be seen as examples of transnational cinema, such as The Namesake (2006), which straddles both diasporic and transnational perspectives. Meanwhile, films like Slumdog Millionaire (2008) exploring the role played by Bollywood films in representing Indian culture can be viewed as transnational productions with local themes, yet they are often received through a Western lens in diasporic communities. Typically, this research will delve into how globalization and transnationalism influence the conceptualization of cultural identity and stereotypes, particularly as influenced by international collaborations between the two biggest film industries.