In a recent interview, Bollywood actor Randeep Hooda stirred controversy by expressing his views on American filmmaking, particularly targeting Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, starring Cillian Murphy. Hooda, who recently debuted as a director with Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, shared his perspective on the portrayal of historical events in cinema.

Randeep Hooda questions American cinema’s portrayal of history.

Questioning American Cinema

Randeep Hooda questioned the authenticity of American films, labelling them as ‘propaganda’ driven. He particularly singled out Oppenheimer, a film directed by Christopher Nolan, which depicts the life of physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his role in developing the atomic bomb during World War II. Hooda criticized the portrayal of Americans as heroes and raised concerns about the aftermath of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings.

Speaking on his concerns, Hooda stated, “America made Oppenheimer. That man built the atomic bomb. It was such a painful incident…in Japan, on civilians in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, they detonated the bomb at night, but they’re good guys.”

Challenging Historical Narratives

The actor further challenged the historical narratives presented in American cinema, highlighting the perceived bias in depicting certain nations as villains while glorifying American heroes. He pointed out the disparity in how American history is depicted compared to other perspectives.

Hooda criticizes Oppenheimer’s film as ‘propaganda-driven’.

Hooda remarked, “Their movies are propaganda, their movies tell the entire world that ‘we are the best army, we are the good guys. Japanese, and Germans are bad’ and history also has the same thing, because they have written history. But this is not true.”

Contrasting Perspectives

Drawing a contrast, Hooda reflected on the portrayal of Indian heroes in cinema and the challenges faced due to political agendas. He emphasized the need to recognize and honour national heroes without succumbing to political vendettas.

The actor expressed his frustration, stating, “On the other hand, we are always trying to demean our heroes because of political vendetta.”

Film Releases and Perspectives

While Oppenheimer received accolades at the Academy Awards, Hooda’s Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, centred on Indian freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, debuted earlier this week. Hooda’s film aims to provide an ‘international document’ on the life of Savarkar and his contribution to India’s independence struggle.

Randeep Hooda’s candid interview sparks debate on film propaganda.

Randeep Hooda’s candid remarks shed light on the nuances of cinematic representation and the impact of storytelling on historical narratives. As debates surrounding cinematic portrayals continue, Hooda’s commentary adds a fresh perspective to the ongoing discourse on filmmaking and historical accuracy.