Acclaimed director and actor Tigmanshu Dhulia has voiced sharp concerns regarding the way mainstream storytelling frequently depicts North India on screen. Known for grounding his own cinematic narratives in the diverse terrains of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and neighboring northern territories, the filmmaker opened up about this ongoing issue while discussing his upcoming movie Ghamasan. He pointed out that contemporary cinema and digital shows routinely reduce the vast northern belt to crude, repetitive stereotypes instead of capturing its authentic nuances.
The Rich Diversity of North India Overlooked
Highlighting the geographical and cultural vastness of North India, Tigmanshu Dhulia argued that it is an error to depict all northern states through a single monolithic framework. He noted that Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh are distinctly separate entities, each possessing its own traditions, dialects, and social environments. Even within the boundaries of these individual states, different districts, cities, and rural belts reflect sharply contrasting identities that cannot simply be clubbed together under an overly generalized label.
Locations as Living Characters Inspired by Hollywood
Explaining his personal approach to filmmaking, Tigmanshu Dhulia emphasized that the locations chosen for his movies are never accidental or mere backdrops. He insisted that the Hindi heartland is not a single uniform territory. Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan feature entirely distinct cultures and atmospheres, and every state encompasses localized subcultures that demand respectful and accurate observation.
The director acknowledged drawing inspiration from Hollywood cinema, where physical geography and specific settings play an indispensable role in advancing the plot. For Tigmanshu Dhulia, the natural topography, local dialects, social hierarchy, and regional atmosphere must remain intricately intertwined with the core narrative rather than serving as superficial window dressing.
Objection to Sensationalized Crime and Violence
Tigmanshu Dhulia strongly objected to the manner in which various mainstream projects portray the entire Hindi-speaking belt through an identical template. He warned that this habitual misrepresentation fosters skewed and misleading perceptions among audiences across the country. By consistently confining the entire region within the narrow boundaries of rampant crime, bloodshed, and lawlessness, creators end up peddling a formula that strayed far away from ground realities.
Challenging the Portrayal in Mirzapur
Addressing the widely watched show Mirzapur, which features a prominent ensemble cast including Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Divyenndu, and Rasika Dugal, Tigmanshu Dhulia questioned the extreme exaggeration in its narrative. He maintained that the events and settings shown in the project depart significantly from reality.
Expressing his candid viewpoint, Tigmanshu Dhulia stated that he cannot talk about Mirzapur because much has been exaggerated far beyond reality. He elaborated that while the screen frequently displays the manufacturing of country-made pistols and constant gunpowder trades, the actual ground conditions are nothing like that portrayal. In his assessment, sensationalized storytelling does a grave disservice to authentic regional storytelling.
