Film and Politics in India: Cinematic Charisma as a Gateway to Political Power
Author:
Dhamu Pongiyannan
ISBN:
9783034315517
Binding:
Paperback
Year:
2015
Pages:
230
Size:
15 x 23 cm
Weight:
350 grams
Price:
INR
3880.00
In the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, all five of the Chief Ministers since 1967 have been former actors. This provocative book debunks the notion of Bollywood as the synecdoche of Indian cinema to explore the hitherto less studied, yet highly influential cinema in South Asia. Developing the concept of the politics of sentiment, the author examines the ways in which actor-politicians constructed their cinematic charisma, projecting themselves as messiahs saving the people from injustices, to create a political appeal to voters. The resilience of cinematic charisma, as Indian society undergoes massive socio-economic changes, provides a compelling study of modern politics, cinema, celebrity and the culture of the subcontinent.
Amit Chaudhuri
Over the past 15 years, Amit Chaudhuri has made a name for himself as one of the most significant figures in contemporary culture. He is the author of several award-winning novels, including A Strange and Sublime Address and Afternoon Raag, as well as being an internationally acclaimed musician and influential essayist. His essays have appeared in many journals including the LRB and Granta. He is currently Professor of Contemporary Literature at the University of East Anglia.