Bollywood’s love for political stories is not new, but with the upcoming general elections, there is an increase in political dramas. The year started with Pankaj Tripathi starrer Main Atal Hoon, biopic on former Prime Minister, late Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Several other political thrillers, including Article 370, Emergency, Bastar - The Naxal Story, Section 108, The Sabarmati Report, The Delhi Files, are set to hit the screens as filmmakers vie to present intriguing stories on political leaders and key events. But what makes such films click?

The Tashkent Files (2019), The Kashmir Files (2022) and The Vaccine War (2023) filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri says, “A film industry that isn’t making a political film, is dehydrated. Every film should address socio-political issues because it touches our life.” The filmmaker is helming The Delhi Files, which is reportedly based on the 1984 Sikh riots in New Delhi.

In the past, filmmakers like Raj Kapoor, Manoj Kumar, Dev Anand, Guru Dutt, Shyam Benegal, Prakash Jha, Sudhir Mishra, among others brought socio-political commentary in their films. And this genre continues to be a loved by the current crop of filmmakers.

While Yami Gautam Dhar‘s Article 370 is set against the revoking of Article 370 that gave Jammu and Kashmir a special status; Emergency, headlined by Kangana Ranaut, biographical historical drama based on Indian Emergency during former Prime Minister, late Indira Gandhi’s term.

Another reason political thrillers pull in the crowds is the relatability factor. Even if not directly, several movies have subtle political undertones. Pointing at films such as Inquilaab and Aaj Ka MLA (both 1984), Gadar 2 (2023) director Anil Sharma asserts that politics is an integral part of our cinema, “Even today, if you go to the rural areas, people discuss politics sitting under a tree. Political films are a popular sentiment in India, hence it works with the audience.”

Actor Adah Sharma, who spearheaded The Kerala Story (2023), will be seen next in Bastar - The Naxal Story, that traces the Naxal movement in Chattisgarh. The 31-year-old says the final verdict of a film is in the hands of the audience: “In 2023, the biggest movies were Jawaan and Pathaan, which weren’t political thrillers, [but] The Kerala Story was part of the top films. Since time immemorial, movie watchers have embraced all genres equally. Bastar... is a political thriller, if the audience decides it’s well made, it will work.”

With Rang De Basanti (2006), Raajneeti and Rakta Charitra (both, 2010), Aarakshan (2011) and Maharani (2021), we’re seeing an upswing in this genre. The crux remains that important stories are told from every lens and aspect of the political spectrum because that’s what makes the nation think.

Trade expert Atul Mohan says, “The political thrillers releasing this year don’t have an edge as the audience knows that it can only be agenda driven. Poore desh ka mahaul election ka hai, so news mein zaroor reh sakti hain, but it doesn’t necessarily mean they will do well at the box office also.”

Film exhibitor Akshaye Rathi says, “It’s tough to avoid cricket, cinema and politics in our country. People might say a film is right-leaning, like The Kerala Story or The Kashmir Files, but we’ve also had films like Mulk (2018) or Article 15 (2019), which spoke from the other side of the political leaning.”

Producer and film expert Girish Johar says, “Bheed (2023) was released at the perfect time, but didn’t do well as audiences seek both relevance and entertainment. [For political films], it’s topical as everyone is talking about elections.”