Iconic film ‘Haathi Mere Saathi’ explored the bond between humans and animals
Indian cinema is in a strong spot to shape how people see the environment?
Environment Pulse desk
Indian Cinema: Promoting Environment Through Stories
Storytelling on celluloid opens diverse options for filmmakers to shed light on subjects which effortlessly capture India’s social pulse, but it’s so much more than dance, song and drama. Today a large number of filmmakers are turning their cameras on a new crisis—our changing environment. New stories now emerge about water shortages, erratic monsoons, vanishing forests, and choking pollution. These films aren’t just here to entertain; they push people to think, to care about what’s happening around them.
Every time you watch a farmer struggling during a drought on screen, or a forest officer saving a tiger, you start to feel the problem. You definitely feel a deep connect. These movies remind us the environment isn’t some distant issue—it’s a part of our daily lives. Directors are pointing their lenses at everything from Gujarat’s salt flats to the thick forests of the Western Ghats, showing off the country’s natural beauty and fragility.
Historically speaking from the cinematic perspective, classics like Pather Panchali and Mother India showed how the rhythms of nature shape people’s lives, even if they weren’t labelled as “environmental” films back then. Further movies like Haathi Mere Saathi explored the bond between humans and animals.
During the 1990s, movies like Bhopal Express tackled pollution and industrial disasters head-on. In the modern era, the focus has sharpened further, with filmmakers making stories about water crises, climate change, and pollution. Films like Kaun Kitne Paani Mein and Kadvi Hawa dig into problems of everyday people.
Latest examples are Jal and Iraada that decode the impact of water shortages and contaminated land. Swades and Kedarnath wrap environmental themes into their plotlines. There’s also a rising wave of movies about wildlife and forest rights. Sherni and Sherdil: The Pilibhit Saga put conservation front and center—spotlighting the struggle to protect both animals and the people who share space with them. Kantara, for example, weaves conservation together with local beliefs and culture.
Filmmakers and analysts are hopeful—but a few bumps, too. Sure, big stars and big budgets can bring these stories to more people, but it’s tough balancing entertainment with a message.
Overall, Indian cinema is in a strong spot to shape how people see the environment? As the crisis grows, movies will keep pushing us to face it and look for answers. When filmmakers mix a good story with a call to action, they help all of us see our place in the natural world a little differently.
Also Read: Lucknow’s Kukrail Night Safari: Setting a New Standard for Urban Eco-Tourism
