From Conflict to Culture: How the North-East is Redefining Bollywood Stories
How the North-East is Becoming a Character in Bollywood Stories.
02:48 PM Jan 12, 2025 IST
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Aakash Khuman
The North-Eastern states ( North-East ) of India, known for their breathtaking landscapes and rich culture, are increasingly finding their way into Bollywood narratives—not just as scenic backdrops, but as integral parts of the story. Recent productions like Paatal Lok 2 and The Family Man 3 are bringing this transformation to the forefront.
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The North-East in Web Series: Spotlight on Nagaland
Paatal Lok 2: A Case Rooted in Nagaland
The much-anticipated trailer for Paatal Lok 2 hints at a thrilling new chapter for Hathiram Chaudhary, played by Jaideep Ahlawat. This season dives into Nagaland’s social-political conflicts, with the murder of a local leader serving as the central plot point. The region's decades-long tribal violence and power struggles are woven into the story, adding depth to the social thriller.
The Family Man 3: The Plot Thickens in Nagaland
After exploring Mumbai, Kashmir, and Chennai in its previous seasons, The Family Man is heading to Nagaland. Manoj Bajpayee's character, Srikant Tiwari, navigates the region's intricate socio-political fabric. Reports suggest extensive shooting in Nagaland, with its tribal conflicts expected to play a crucial role in the storyline.
Bollywood's Longstanding Tryst with the North-East
Even before these web series, Bollywood films had sporadically explored the North-East:
1967: Dev Anand's Jewel Thief was shot in Sikkim before it joined India.
1991: Parts of Salman Khan's Qurbani were filmed in Shillong.
2001–2017: Films like Daman, Saaya, Rock On 2, and Rangoon featured North-East locations.
Recent films, however, are going beyond visuals to embrace the region’s essence.
Modern Bollywood Films with North-East as the Plot
Anek (2022): Ayushmann Khurrana’s film delves into tribal violence and separatist movements in Assam and Meghalaya, using the region’s socio-political conflicts as the story’s backbone.
Bhediya (2022): Varun Dhawan's horror-comedy explores the myths, culture, and environmental concerns of Arunachal Pradesh.
Why Bollywood is Turning to the North-East?
Unexplored Scenic Beauty: The North-East offers fresh, unexplored landscapes—mountains, valleys, and forests—that enhance a film’s visual appeal and mood.
Rich Socio-Political Narratives: Decades of tribal conflicts and political struggles provide compelling storylines, adding depth to films and series.
Cost-Effective Filming: States like Assam, Nagaland, and Meghalaya offer subsidies and streamlined permissions to attract filmmakers. For example:
Assam provides up to 45% subsidy.
Sikkim was awarded the "Most Film Friendly State" title in 2021.
The Road Ahead
With increasing interest in the North-East's culture, history, and natural beauty, Bollywood has a unique opportunity to bring untold stories to the big screen. As audiences crave fresh narratives, the North-East is poised to become a cinematic muse, shaping the future of Indian storytelling.
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