Independence Day Special: जब भारतीय सिनेमा से कांप उठी थी ब्रिटिश हुकूमत! अंग्रेजों ने रातों-रात बैन कर दी थीं ये फिल्में, जानिए क्या थी वजह?

According to TV9 Bharatvarsh, the Indian struggle for independence was fought not only on the physical battlefield but also through the medium of cinema. During the British colonial era, the film industry became a powerful tool for nationalist expression, leading the British administration to implement strict censorship measures to curb anti-colonial sentiment.

Historical records indicate that the British government frequently utilized the Cinematograph Act of 1918 to ban or restrict films perceived as a threat to colonial authority. Notable examples cited in the report include 'Bhakta Vidur' (1921), which was banned in several regions for its perceived allegorical references to the non-cooperation movement and Mahatma Gandhi. Similarly, films depicting historical figures or themes of sovereignty were often targeted by colonial censors who feared the mobilizing power of the screen.

These censorship efforts were part of a broader strategy to control public discourse and prevent the spread of revolutionary ideas among the Indian populace. By examining these historical bans, historians and film scholars continue to highlight the significant role that early Indian filmmakers played in fostering a sense of national identity and resistance against colonial rule during the lead-up to India's independence.