Films that restore our faith in communal harmony and a secular India

It’s no surprise that communal discord is on the rise in the country. It’s much louder, getting more violent and the nation’s law and order is being disregarded by some overzealous citizens at will with impunity. They say films hold mirror to society and on several occasions there have been instances when certain films have explored friendship, love and selflessness by people of different allegiances towards those from other backgrounds than theirs in the most honest way. This elite list of Tollywood films will surely restore your faith in communal harmony and the basic idea of secularism. After all, we can't survive without communal peace and take pride in being a citizen of a secular India.

What if Ayan Mukerji’s ‘Brahmastra’ had an alternate Tollywood version

Indraadip Das Gupta’s film addresses communal harmony through Indian classical music. We are going through a time where we need to remind ourselves because history is constantly demolished and there is a successful, consolidated effort to make people forget their own history of civilization. The film also focuses on the tradition of a musical family and how foreign intrusion creates disturbance in it. It delineates the journey and evolution of a musician.

Prasun Chatterjee’s film which has already created a lot of buzz in its festival round explores love, loss and tragedy amidst political upheaval. Set in Murshidabad in the late 90s amidst the increasing tensions between Hindu-Muslim communities in India, the hard-hitting story explores the evolution of an innocent and heartwarming friendship between two eight-year-olds belonging to the opposing communities. The critically acclaimed film is expected to release in theatres in September.

Saibal Mitra’s film highlights various layers of society- from minority issues to religious agendas the film delves into various important aspects. The film is based on the famous play, Inherit the Wind, by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E Lee. The story revolves around how a teacher of science denies teaching a book of religion before his usual science class which is then blown out of proportion, getting him arrested. A trial follows that questions the importance and need of science versus religion.

The Nandita Roy-Shiboprasad Mukherjee directed film talks about religious harmony in times of growing intolerance and communal polarisation. 'Gotro' (clan) is also a celebration of neighbourly love without discrimination. In the film, a controversy erupts when a member of a particular community serves bhog at a Hindu household and the film spreads the important message that there is no bigger religion than humanity in this world.

Gautam Halder's film 'Nirban' is a film that champions communal harmony. Starring Rakhee, Bidita Bag and Chaiti Ghosal in the lead, the film is based on a short story titled ‘Bijolibalar Mukti’ by Moti Nandi. In the film, When Bijolibala (Rakhee) meets with an accident, Hasi volunteers to donate blood to her. Bijolibala gets discharged but is advised complete bed rest. Soon, Hasi’s dedication and warm presence soothes Bijolibala’s mind. When Hasi dies of cancer, Hasi’s child Bhutu finds a new mother in Bijolibala. The twist in the tale comes when a sudden letter reveals that Hasi was originally Hasina, a Muslim who after her marriage chose to spend rest of her life as a Brahmin! Bijolibala is now faced with a spiritual dilemma.

The Raj Chakraborty directorial revolves around a small town of Ismailpur, which suffers an apocalyptic night as the town descends to anarchy as a sudden communal riot breaks out. Four victims, rivals to each other, take shelter in an old woman’s home, who awaits her son’s arrival. Conflicts break out within the four members as the outside anxiety grips all of them, with the old woman playing the role of a pacifier throughout the fateful night. As dawn cracks, the four members are met with conscience as the old woman’s crestfallen truth unravels upon them; thus bringing upon the realization that humanity is the foremost religion.