Bollywood and Journalism always had a sweet and sour relationship. Both these industries can’t survive without one another in today’s digitally driven population. Without the Bollywood, there are no gossips, whereas, without the media or journalism, there’s no publicity.
Being a vital part of our society, you can see how journalism has inspired many filmmakers to make films based on Journalists or Journalism in Bollywood. While some of these films are highly inspirational, a few others depict the true face of current media trends.
Best Bollywood Movies on Journalism and Journalists
Journalism has always been the driving force for Bollywood industry. In a way, we can call these wonderful movies on journalism as a tribute to the Indian media industry.
Without further ado, let’s check out the list.
Page 3 (2005)
Well, the first on our list is the 2005 Page 3 which is the real take on the Entertainment media by Madhur Bhandarkar. The film is actually based on the Page 3 culture and media in Mumbai city. It is often said that you aren’t a celeb unless you don’t get featured on Page 3 of the newspaper which is dedicated to Entertainment section. The film stars Konkana Sen Sharma in the lead role as a Page 3 Journalist.
Peepli Live (2010)
If Page 3 was an interesting tale around Page 3 media, the 2010 film Peepli Live is a slap in the hardcore media we have today. Peepli Live tells the story of a poor farmer who is encouraged by his elder brother to commit suicide. After the decision goes viral, all the popular and unpopular media channels visit the village to cover the whole story. Peepli live is a Political satire film, Directed by Anusha Rizvi, Peepli Live featured Omkar Das Manikpuri in the lead role.
Satyagraha (2013)
Satyagraha is a Bollywood Political Drama Film featuring an ensemble cast of Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgn, Manoj Bajpai, Kareena Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, and Amrita Rao. Directed by Prakash Jha, Satyagraha is a social film displaying the plight of a father who lost his engineer son in an orchestrated road accident by political goons. The film revolves around the corruption within the system where ruling party or MLAs announce compensations but it never reaches the recipient. The film also tries to show the power of social media in current affairs.
Dil Se.. (1998)
Dil Se is a romantic thriller film that depicts the love story of an All India Radio executive and a suicide bomber. Directed by Mani Ratnam, the film is set in the backdrop of insurgency in North East India. The film tries to elaborate two different aspects that prevail in the society. One’s romance and another is the injustice. Both of which can go extreme to a level that nobody can imagine and that’s what is described in this film as well as the couple embrace death in the end.
No One Killed Jessica (2011)
No One Killed Jessica is a thriller film based on the high profile Jessica Lal murder case. Directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, the film basically follows the story of Jessica Lal’s sister Sabrina who seeks justice for her sister and takes up the fight against the system with the help of a reporter Meera Gaity and organization called Middle Finger Protests. Finally, the main culprit is convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment representing the triumph of Good over Evil.
Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani (2000)
Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani is a comedy-drama film focusing on the rivalry between the ace reporters of the two rival channels. Directed by Aziz Mirza, the film starts on a lighter note with humor and comical events but eventually turns into a serious drama. The film tries to draw our attention towards the corrupted system and how media is used to manipulate things around us.
Rann (2010)
Directed by Ram Gopal Varma, Rann is a 2010 political thriller film revolving around the journalism industry. The film tells the story of an ethical CEO of a television news channel who’s manipulated by his own son and son-in-law to frame a false story against the PM. When he finds the ultimate truth, he realizes his error and tries to make things right at the cost of many things in his own personal life.
Lakshya (2004)
Well, Lakshya is not entirely a film based on journalism but it does feature the risks involved and the efforts made by the press reporters who cover the war news at ground zero. The film basically follows the story of a young man and his valiant efforts in the Kargil War once he recognizes the true goal in his life. He meets his ex-girlfriend who is now covering the Kargil War and the meeting rekindles their love story once again.
Madras Cafe is a political thriller spy film set in the late 1980s and early 1990s of Sri Lanka. Directed by Shoojit Sircar, the film tries to take us down through the events witnessed by an Indian soldier that led to the plot designed to assassinate the then Prime Minister of India, Mr. Rajiv Gandhi. The film also features a war correspondent who aides the soldier to uncover the plot to assassinate the Indian Prime Minister.
Nayak is Hindi remake of the Shankar’s 1999 film Mudhalvan. The film tells the story of an honest and ambitious TV reporter who is challenged by the Maharashtra Chief Minister to take his job for a day. Though hesitant in the beginning, the reporter takes up the challenge and takes up the mantle for 24 hours. His fine execution and determination throughout these 24 hours make him a crowd favorite and a threat for the CM. The film takes an interesting turn and a simple reporter becomes the elected CM of Maharashtra.
Main Azaad Hoon (1989)
Main Azaad Hoon is a different themed film starring Amitabh Bachchan. Basically, Amitabh Bachchan is known to work in commercial cinema but with the 1989 film Main Azaad Hoon, he ventured into the parallel cinema for the first time. Directed by Tinnu Anand, the film tells the story of a man who is used by the media to pose as Azaad, a fictitious figure created by a journalist to get back at her news agency. The film tries to draw our attention towards the failed system and tells us that it only requires one spark to begin a revolution.
Noor (2017)
Noor is a fun comedy film based on a famous novel by Pakistani Author Saba Imtiaz titled Karachi, You’re Killing Me! The film basically follows the life of Noor, a young journalist played by Sonakshi Sinha and her misadventures as she tries to fit in the lifestyle of Mumbai. Directed by Sunhil Sippy, the film is a light comedy at the beginning but eventually
Shobhana 7 Nights (Not yet released officially)
Directed by Sudipto Chattopadhyay, Shobhana 7 Nights is a story about a woman who is often featured on Page 3 articles. Hell breaks loose when she decides to write her autobiography as she had a very controversial life which if disclosed can unravel many hidden truths. Whether she completes her autobiography or not forms the rest of the story.
Naya Sansar (1940)
Naya Sansar is a classic film that portrays a love triangle at a newspaper agency called Sansar. Directed by N.R. Acharya, the film reflects on the radical journalism spreading across India.The filmmaker brilliantly webs an interesting love story while displaying the effect of radicalism in the journalism industry of India in the 1940s.
Over to you!
Journalism and Bollywood go hand in hand. Hence, you will find an element of media in most films, especially the ones covering political, social, or similar controversial topics. If you think we missed any Bollywood film on journalism or News Media in our list, then feel free to let us know in the comments below.
Rajeesh Nair is a true Gizmofreak and an addictive movie buff. He blogs at LifeBlender.com – a lifestyle Blogzine which focuses on general life related topics of the 21st Century.
