Air pollution in India, especially in urban areas like Delhi, poses a serious health risk yet remains largely absent from mainstream narratives in films and literature. Experts suggest that the lack of dramatic visual representation makes it difficult to engage audiences, resulting in a failure to incorporate the experiences of affected communities into popular storytelling. Notable exceptions exist in documentaries and some artistic explorations, yet the disconnect persists in how serious environmental issues are portrayed in contemporary Indian culture.
The Vanishing Act of Air Pollution in Indian Pop Culture
The Vanishing Act of Air Pollution in Indian Pop Culture
Despite being a pressing issue affecting millions, air pollution rarely features in mainstream Indian cinema or literature, highlighting a cultural silence surrounding environmental crises.
In the acclaimed 2016 film *Pink*, Amitabh Bachchan's character steps out into Delhi’s heavy smog, donning a mask, an image that starkly portrays the air pollution issue. However, this serves only as a backdrop to the film’s primary narrative, underlining the rarity of environmental themes in mainstream Indian media. While air pollution and hazardous smog in cities like Delhi garner headlines and provoke political discourse, they lack the cultural amplification seen with other disasters like floods.
Siddharth Singh, author of *The Great Smog of India*, critiques this absence, noting it as a significant shortcoming in India’s literary and cinematic landscape. He emphasizes the disconnect of technical jargon associated with pollution—from PM2.5 to NOx—which fails to resonate with the general public. Author Amitav Ghosh echoes this sentiment, arguing in *The Great Derangement* that contemporary fictional narratives lack impactful representations of climate change. He reflects on the disturbing normalcy of natural disasters like heatwaves in India, asserting that climate change is perceived as a “slow violence,” which complicates storytelling.
There have, however, been dedicated explorations of pollution through documentary film. *All That Breathes*, directed by Shaunak Sen, was nominated for the Oscars in 2022, presenting a poignant narrative about two brothers caring for wounded black kites in a polluted Delhi landscape. Sen’s film seeks to illustrate the broader effects of climate change and pollution, emphasizing to audiences that these concerns permeate everyday life.
While filmmakers like Nila Madhab Panda have tackled these issues in mainstream cinema, such as in his courtroom drama about a couple’s divorce caused by their differing views on life in polluted Delhi, the overall trend remains limited. Panda began addressing climate themes back in 2005 but highlights the importance of entertainment value even when conveying serious messages.
Despite the increasing acknowledgment of environmental themes, capturing the essence of polluted urban life in a relatable narrative remains elusive. Singh points out the challenge of identifying personal stories behind pollution statistics, noting that many people affected by these crises are often invisibilized in mainstream discourse.
Though regional literature has historically engaged with environmental issues, contemporary English literature continues to lag behind in meaningful portrayals of pollution. Memes and viral images are emerging as vital tools for raising awareness, effectively engaging a wider audience. Singh hopes these creative expressions will ignite a larger response from those in power, advocating for urgent action regarding environmental health.
As India grapples with air quality crises, the need for potent storytelling that connects individuals to the realities of pollution remains critical, calling for creative approaches that weave these narratives into the fabric of popular culture.
