The Web of Propaganda Films: How BJP-RSS Linked People Use Entertainment to Polish Government Image and Spread Hate
A few days ago, I went to watch a movie in the cinema hall. When I reached there, the screen was playing an advertisement featuring the Prime Minister. Then another one came. Then an ad of some Chief Minister. I thought these were regular interval promos. But no – they were all part of the film itself. My head spun. What kind of joke is this?
Actually, the joke is being played on all of us. In the name of entertainment, we are being shown films that either glorify the government or spread hatred against a particular community, a state, or opposition parties.
In the last few years, the number of such films has been increasing rapidly. This is not a coincidence, as the Prime Minister often says – it is not a coincidence, it is a planned experiment. Many of these films have direct links to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and other Hindutva organisations.
In this article, based on investigative reporting (primarily from The Quint and public records), we reveal the reality behind 10 such films. We also mention the names of key actors who appeared in them. If more similar films come to light, they can be added.
1. The Kerala Story (2023) and The Kerala Story 2
Producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah openly said at the World Hindu Congress in Bangkok (2023): “We would not have been able to make this film without the greatest guidance and support from the RSS. They have been our guardian angels.” He also reportedly donated ₹1 crore to a Hindutva organisation in Kerala. Director of Part 2: Kamakhya Narayan Singh (who made the 2025 documentary Demography is Destiny, claiming – without solid basis – that Muslims will outnumber Hindus in India). Its producer Ravindra Sanghvi has RSS links. Main Actors: Adah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, Siddhi Idnani, Sonia Balani.
2. Razakar (2024, Telugu multilingual)
Producer Gudur Narayana Reddy is a BJP leader who contested elections in Telangana on a BJP ticket. The film depicts atrocities during the Nizam era in Hyderabad. Main Actors: Bobby Simha, Tej Sapru, Makarand Deshpande, Raj Arjun, Vedhika, Anasuya Bharadwaj.
3. Swatantrya Veer Savarkar (2024)
One of the producers, Anand Pandit, is a long-time BJP member and served as treasurer of Maharashtra BJP. He was also involved in the 2019 film PM Narendra Modi. Main Actor: Randeep Hooda (who played Savarkar and also directed).
4. Accident or Conspiracy: Godhra (2024)
Actor Hitu Kanodia was a BJP MLA in Gujarat (his father and uncle were also BJP leaders). Producer B.J. Purohit is a known BJP supporter. Director M.K. Shivaaksh has worked on projects for the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh. Main Actors: Ranvir Shorey, Manoj Joshi, Hitu Kanodia.
5. Bengal 1947 (2024)
Director Akashaditya Lama (also known as Akash Aditya Lama) is joint secretary of Bharatiya Chitra Sadhana, an organisation linked to the RSS that aims to connect the film industry with Sangh ideology. Main Actors: Devoleena Bhattacharjee, Sohaila Kapur, Ankur Armam, Onkar Das.
6. The Accidental Prime Minister (2019)
Director Vijay Ratnakar Gutte – his father Ratnakar Gutte has been associated with BJP-allied politics in Maharashtra. The film portrays former PM Manmohan Singh negatively. Main Actors: Anupam Kher (lead), Akshaye Khanna.
7. Udaipur Files (2025)
Producer Amit Jani is the founder of Hindu Action Force and president of Uttar Pradesh Navnirman Sena. He has made controversial statements regarding lynching cases. Main Actors: Vijay Raaz (as Kanhaiya Lal), Rajneesh Duggal, Preeti Jhangiani.
8. JNU: Jahangir National University (2024)
Produced by Mahakaal Movies Pvt Ltd, owned/directed by Vishnu Tantia, who is a business partner of Haryana politician Gopal Kanda (who has been in alliance with BJP). Main Actors: Urvashi Rautela, Siddharth Bodke, Ravi Kishan, Piyush Mishra, Vijay Raaz, Rashmi Desai.
9. PM Narendra Modi (2019)
One of the producers: Anand Pandit (same as Savarkar film). Main Actor: Vivek Oberoi (as Narendra Modi).
10. Other Notable Films Promoted or Linked
- The Kashmir Files (2022) and The Bengal Files — Directed by Vivek Agnihotri (who is also a CBFC member).
- Article 370 (2024)
- The Sabarmati Report (2024)
- Chhaava (2025) — Starring Vicky Kaushal.
- Bastar: The Naxal Story (2024)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has publicly praised films like The Kashmir Files, The Kerala Story, Article 370, The Sabarmati Report, and Chhaava. Several of these were granted tax-free status in BJP-ruled states. Special screenings were often organised by BJP, ABVP, and RSS-linked groups.
Questions on the Censor Board (CBFC)
While films promoting Hindutva ideology or allegedly spreading hate against a community get easy clearance, films exposing issues like the Punjab police encounter killings (e.g., on Jaswant Singh Khalra) face hurdles.
CBFC Chairman: Prasoon Joshi – He created the “Abki Baar Modi Sarkar” campaign and wrote songs/campaigns for PM Modi. Board Members include:
- Vivek Agnihotri (director of Kashmir Files etc.)
- Ramesh Patange (RSS links)
- Gautami Tadimalla (linked to AIADMK, BJP ally)
- Vani Tripathi Tikoo (former BJP national secretary)
- Jeevita Rajashekhar (BJP member in Telangana)
- T.S. Nagabharana (open BJP supporter in Karnataka)
The bigger picture is clear: People connected to BJP, RSS, and Hindutva organisations make films that either glorify the government or spread division. The system (including the censor board) facilitates their release, and leaders promote them afterwards. This appears to be a systematic effort to push a particular ideology among the public.
These films often damage social harmony in the name of “nationalism” or “truth,” yet they receive institutional support.
Note: This is based on publicly available information and investigative reports. Watching movies is a personal choice, but it is important to distinguish between pure entertainment and propaganda. Viewers should apply critical thinking.
If you want more details on any specific film, actors, or additional examples, let me know.
