Abstract

Cinema in India has always been more than entertainment—it has served as a mirror reflecting social change cultural transitions and political transformations. From the nationalist narratives of the pre-independence era to post-independence stories of social reform and from depictions of caste gender and class struggles to contemporary explorations of globalization and digital culture Indian cinema has consistently documented and influenced the evolution of society. This paper examines cinema as both a product and a driver of social change in India. Through literature review theoretical frameworks and case studies of landmark films across eras the paper highlights how cinema represents and shapes discourse around identity justice and modernization. While cinema democratizes voices and fosters critical debate it also faces challenges such as commercialization censorship and stereotyping. The findings suggest that cinema’s role as a cultural text remains indispensable in understanding Ind