Politics of Representation

The recent Dalit representation in Indian cinema has arrived with nuanced attributes, distinct from the earlier cinematic portrayal that mostly depicted them as victims of caste atrocities and violence. The new representation in the recent Hindi, Tamil, and Marathi films and on various over-the-top platforms has progressively identified Dalits as the part of a greater middle-class culture or as urban aspirants who wish to live a normal, dignified life in the metros. On the flip side, the new Dalit characters are presented as the people who are indifferent to the ideals of social justice and survive in the cities mostly as vagabond individuals.