Many of you might be wondering, how did a single @rihanna tweet about the #FarmersProtest send #Bollywood down a spiral?

A short thread on neoliberalism and India's use of Bollywood as a tool for propaganda:

In the 90s, there were mounting pressures that influenced the
Indian state to adopt neoliberal policies. India's relationship to their "NRIs" (Non-Resident Indians) changed & began to appeal to the potential contributions of diasporic investors as a source of economic support.

The Bombay Film industry (Bollywood) assisted in relaying specific messages that would help promote "Indian cultural values" in attempts of reinforcing a cultural connection between the diaspora and the homeland (ultimately, in hopes of resulting in financial contributions)

Bollywood became an investment & was closely regulated by the Indian Government. The values and messages that are portrayed in Bollywood films intentionally are reflective of the political contexts and policies of the time (& what the Indian government *wants* exported globally)

The wealthy, North-Indian, Hindu, upper-caste Indian/NRI is the image Bollywood actively exports to its own diaspora & to the rest of the world. This is how Bollywood *wants* India to be perceived. It is a carefully curated image.

Rihanna bringing attention to the issue of the Punjabi farmers disrupts that. It sparked other western celebrities, politicians, and global human rights organizations to draw attention to the violence imposed by the Indian state. The Indian illusion of perfection is shaken.

This new international pressure is why Bollywood celebrities are coming out of the woodworks making vague comments about "unity" and "Indian togetherness" -- this is their sole purpose. Selling a false image of india.

This is also why Bollywood is filled with racist caractures, the "stupid" Sikh, Blackface, the evil terrorist Muslim -- these are purposeful images Bollywood wants you to absorb.

So when they are taking away citizenship from 3 million Assamese, or murdering Punjabi farmers, you understand they are simply harming the villain they've already painted for you.

Support Farmers, continue raising awareness, donate to @Khalsa_Aid who are helping feed and resource the protests.