Revolution On Screen: The Politics Of Caste And Resistance In Pa. Ranjith’s Cinematic Narratives

Indian cinema, particularly the mainstream Bollywood and South Indian film industries, has long been dominated by upper-caste narratives that either erase or misrepresent Dalit experiences. Historically, caste oppression has been either invisibilized or depicted through stereotypical tropes, reinforcing societal hierarchies rather than challenging them. Early films often portrayed Dalit characters as submissive, passive victims or as objects of pity rather than agents of resistance. In contrast, movies influenced by socialist and leftist ideologies in the 1970s and 1980s briefly addressed caste struggles yet often failed to center Dalit voices. Tamil cinema, in particular, has a complex relationship with caste representation—while some filmmakers attempted progressive portrayals, the dominance of hero-centric narratives often upheld caste privilege. Against this backdrop, Pa. Ranjith’s films emerge as a radical departure, explicitly foregrounding caste oppression, Dalit identity, and resistance.