do watch following movies:

Movies without any Muslim Issue:

Iqbal, Chandni Bar, Tahaan( though backdrop is issue but not central theme), Dor

Movies with issues I would like u to watch are

Roja, Mumbai, Naseem(1992 riots), Mammo, Shauraya, Rang De Basanti, Chak De India!,Sarfarosh, A wednesday , Newyork, Veer Zara, Border, Refugee, Gadar, Mission Kashmir, Yahaan, Fiza, Faana, Parzania(gujraat riots), Anwar, Firak(gujrat riots), And the world remained silent(a documentary showing plight of Kashmiri Pandits)

Movie that have been released yet with muslim central character

My Name is Khan, Dastaan, Lamhaa

I think people here have not seen movies where Hindu girl fall for Muslim man. There are lots of such movies but I remember only following as of now:
Hasina(it has english subs I guess ,originally in Kanada language), Jodhaa Akbar, Phir Milenge. Also u watch Pinjar though that movie is on partition but see it from a woman’s perscpective not from region/religion.

There are movies made in almost all states with state language but the one’s that are common are: Tamil, Telgu, Kannada, malyalam, Bengali, Punjabi, Oriya, Bojpuri, Assamese, Marathi. U will find more issue based movie in regional cinema whether it is muslim/non muslim character.

Now talking about commercial bollywood and muslim way of life. In earlier film periods there were more movies on muslims potrayed as “Nawabs”(princes), Teachers, Tavaif (dancer and prostitute), Kings, Lucknowi Language.

Now all these characters were Central North Indian (Delhi, UP, Bihar, Punjabi) societial potrayal. That is how society was and even today such society is found in UP. But all times changes society changes, though everyone wants to remember old culture things do change. Then came intermediate period of 1980’s when there was a sense of unity felt in all religions. Movies like Amar Akbar Anthony came at that time. Also movie like Nikaah came at that time which spoke about ill effects of triple Talak.

As we progressed into new decade, the society looked like same for Upper class and upper middle class hindus, muslims or christians. Except different religious practices, they all in Upper class and upper middle class dress, eat , get entertained in similar way depending upon region they belong to. So chanracters of upper class/upper middle class had more Hindus in them because the movies changed to more love/romance, breaking free from home etc which even if accepted by upper class society of muslims still the lower class would have created problems. So, noone wanted to risk there projects.

Now 90’s and 2000 onwards has also seen a rise of extremism, terrorism etc in India. So,more movies which show solidarity of muslims with India and not with Pakistan came into being. These movies were made to change growing perception of Indian non muslim population “that all muslims are united in terrorist activity because of universal brotherhood phenomenon.” . these movies said muslims are nationalist first, plz dont be biased. Also such movies were very good for common muslims in India also who saw non muslims getting suspicious over them.These movies gave them sense of relief.

Now coming to social way of life, barring upper and upper middle class, and middle middle class muslims, other muslim societies in India do follow social identity things, like burkha, abaya, dupatta on head(which is common in hindus also), wearing loose garments(common in hindus also), men wearing caps etc. Ofcouse Burkha has increased in last 10 years on Indian roads. Infact I read other day in one blog that lot of Wahabi money is coming in India to educate Indian muslims to dress, maintain a different social life. Quran is being used as reference for maintaining different social life than non muslims. I really dont know whether that is for any good or will only create problems in India because if one grp becomes polarised. If we see from independence till now, Hindus have also changed as a society, ofcourse each region has its own influences but Hindus have changed towards diff society than in 1947. Now if muslims want to go back to old society or dont want to maintain their current state I really have no clue whether that would be good or bad for country as a whole.

Now coming to social life again, the lower class hindus and muslims don’t find much mention in bollywood movies because audience does not want to see that. Bollywood audience likes fun, entertainment and relaxing movie. These characters can always be side roles like Washerman, Maid etc. If lower class characters are potrayed as lead then ofcourse first movie would have less glamour, less entertainment and more seriousness. Audience is not ready to pay for serious movies. A small bracket of audience likes serious movies but not all.

Also, as mentioned by SouthIndianMuslim the movies of today in bollywood are more westernized in concept and outlook, like Dostana, a gay movie. Such westernized movie do disturb right wing Hindus, christians, sikhs etc but they will at max do stone pelting but won’t stop screening. If same movie has muslim character movie can be stopped from screening. The westernization of India is also responsible for less muslim characters.
Also Urdu and Hindi is language of only Delhi, UP, MP, Bihar. Rest in all states muslims, hindus have regional languages and regional cultures.

On leaving note I want you guyz to watch these two movies also alongwith long list I have given in earlier post!! Aamir, a movie about Indian Muslim treated badly by US airport authorities.
And Mr and Mrs Iyer where a married Hindu woman falls in love with Muslim photographer during her travel.

Plz do post replies to my post so that I can understand ur viewpoint.

why so much anger? yes there are angry sentiments in many hindus but that does not mean rest of population hates muslim or muslim characters. Check my mail below and see all those films, they are all past 1990’s films. there are so many films with hindu girl muslim boy.
btw Iranian movies are awesome and I am there big fan!!

I am just confused that what was wrong in Mission Kashmir and Fanna? both female protagonists were patriots. Is that wrong? I have explained in my mail why Indian muslim is suspected and so such movies actually increase cohesion.

all the best for ur history project.