Mediating Ecology within the Context of Marxist Discourse: An Inquiry into the Hindi Film Sherni

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Abstract

In the contemporary mediated era, cinema plays a crucial role in depicting and portraying the ecological connections between humans and non-humans, nature. Given the extractionist approach of capitalists in shaping the Anthropocene and the resilient practices of the communities against uncontrolled exploitation of natural resources, it becomes important to understand the changing metabolic rift between humans and nature. This study focuses on the Hindi film ‘Sherni’ (2021) as a reference point to comprehend the role of cinema in establishing the connection between society and the environment. Departing from typical Hindi film stereotypes, ‘Sherni’ addresses urgent issues related to human - nature, metabolic relationships, the environment, and the challenges faced by local communities to counter exploitative practices in the forest. The paper argues for the need to explore these changing metabolic rifts within the context of ecological communication. Using the Marxian concept of metabolic rift and content analysis, the film explores the complexities of humanenvironment relationships disrupted by forest and animal exploitation (tigress poaching), as well as displacement of local communities for capitalist gains. This brings forth the need to use ecological films as a tool to disseminate information and establish communication practices related to the environment in society.

About the authors

Bhavna Harchandani

Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar

Email: bhavnaiitgn@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-0334-7942

PhD Student at the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences

Gandhinagar, India

Vikas Pathe

Symbiosis International (Deemed University)

Author for correspondence.
Email: pathe.vikas@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-8579-0619

Assistant Professor

Pune, Maharashtra, India

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