New Books in Critical Theory Megha Anwer and Anupama Arora, "Screening Precarity: Hindi Cinema and Neoliberal Crisis in Twenty-first Century India" (U Michigan Press, 2025)
Jan 4, 2026
Join Megha Anwer, a theorist of visual culture, and Anupama Arora, a film and gender studies professor, as they delve into the striking evolution of Bollywood in response to neoliberal crises in India. They define 'precarity' in cinema and highlight how contemporary films often link Muslim identity with slum depictions, fueling xenophobia. Explore the shifting portrayals of gender and caste, the impact of censorship, and the role of stars like SRK navigating political climate, all wrapped in a rich cultural critique of 21st-century cinematic narratives.
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Neoliberal Precarity Is Historically Specific
- Precarity is a historically specific condition produced by neoliberal violence layered onto existing vulnerabilities.
- Screening Precarity studies how post-2010 Hindi films mediate this condition amid rising ethno-nationalism.
Rihanna Tweet Revealed Bollywood–State Sync
- The Rihanna farmers' protest tweet sparked a viral backlash that enlisted Bollywood stars to defend the state.
- This episode shows Bollywood's sync with state PR and the contested authority to name India's precarity.
State Pressure Reshapes Film Genres
- The Modi government pressures filmmakers toward genres that match BJP tastes, reshaping industry content.
- Some films become propagandistic while others encode subtle critiques under censorship pressures.
