Representation of Pashtuns in the Context of Terrorism: A Comparative Study of Bollywood and Lollywood Movies After 9/11

Abstract

This research paper aims to understand how the Pashtuns have been represented in relationship to terrorism in post-9/11 Bollywood and Lollywood movies. It focuses mainly on "Torbaaz" from Bollywood and "Waar" from Lollywood to define the nature of Pashtun characterization, the functioning of intelligence agencies, and the socio-political side of the represented narratives. In this research, the analytical approach developed in the author's previous works is applied to contemplate how these films represent or fail to represent Pashtun identity, taking into consideration the cultural, historical, and social dimensions. The study also aims to examine the effects of the media, particularly on the different ethnic groups' perceptions of terrorism. In this case, it covers how the movie relates actual events in society—specifically, socio-political—to the messages in the film regarding the Pashtun people and their portrayal. Such elements may constitute the portrayal of intelligence agencies and their fight against terrorism, state-security dynamics, and Pashtun society. In conclusion, this research paper focuses on the representation of Pashtuns in films after 9/11 and addresses the issue concerning the representation of ethnic groups in the theme of terrorism. It provides ideas about the role of media in influencing society's mind and attitude toward certain communities after geopolitical upheavals.