Where there were calls for protests from the masses, there was the unmistakable lack of support from the Bollywood stars. Those who did speak out were accused of “being too late to the party” and performative activism. An industry where the most successful actors have paved their way through movies representing patriotism, activism, and much more, have conveniently shifted away. 

Freelance film journalist and content creator Shaurya Thapa, believes that this shift in Bollywood is most visible through the sheer lack of protest music that has come out in the last decade. Reels today are still being cut to music from 10 years ago, from Rang De Basanti to Sadda Haq to Yeh Jo Des Hai Tera to Aarambh Hai Prachand.