Discourse on Terrorism: Image of Pakistan in Bollywood film Phantom.

This study examines the discourse on terrorism viz-aviz contemporary Bollywood cinema and the way it depicts the image of Pakistan. Since their independence in1947, Pakistan and India have fought a number of wars and the relations between the two countries remained strained. Amidst political conflict, some Bollywood films portray Pakistan in a negative daylight. Mumbai attacks of November 26, 2008 further escalated the tensions when India accused Pakistan. The film Phantom is an example of this scenario. By analyzing this film, this study attempts to understand the propaganda messages and the stereotypical notions associated with Pakistan in the Indian propaganda films. Discourse analysis has been used as research methodology for this study. Main focus was the dialogues used in the film with some minor discussion on the visual elements. The analysis shows that Bollywood has shown Pakistani people as extremists. It also depicted Pakistan's top intelligence agency--ISI (Inter Services Intelligence)--as a horrific organization which not only protects, supports and control the terrorists but is also involved in terrorist activities against India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]