I am a PhD scholar in the Department of English, Linguistics, and Philosophy within the School of Arts and Humanities at Nottingham Trent University, where my research centres on Caste and Rajasthan-based Hindi Cinema: Depicting Dalit Realities in the Cinematic World. My academic journey includes an M.A. in Social Work with a specialization in Dalit and Tribal Studies and Action from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, and a B.A. in Political Science from Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi.
Current Research Focus:
My doctoral research investigates how Hindi cinema set in Rajasthan portrays the Dalit community and their experiences. This study breaks new ground by applying a critical Ambedkarite lens to film analysis, proposing a framework to both (de)-construct and analyse the “Brahmanical gaze” in film. It delves into how filmmakers’ caste backgrounds shape these cinematic representations, often embedding ideological biases. My work also examines how casteist perspectives influence these portrayals, focusing particularly on the skewed narrative angles of ‘upper caste’ filmmakers, who frequently use their position of privilege to underrepresent or depict Dalit identities in ways that align with the interests of ‘upper caste’ protagonists.
Ultimately, my argument posits that Indian cinema often portrays caste as an unexamined aspect of Indian culture, reinforcing dominant caste perspectives toward Dalits and, in turn, exacerbating caste-based prejudice and violence beyond the screen and into society itself.
Recent Publications:
1) Bunkar, Neeraj, “Subalternity at the Centre: A Young Diary Demands Radical Change” Economic Political Weekly, Vol. 59 (04) <https://www.epw.in/journal/2024/4/book-reviews/subalternity-centre.html> 34-36, March 09, 2024.
2) Bunkar, Neeraj, “Origin: this outstanding portrayal of India’s caste system is hugely important to Dalit people like me”, The Conversation, <https://theconversation.com/origin-this-outstanding-portrayal-of-indias-caste-system-is-hugely-important-to-dalit-people-like-me-222340> February 08, 2024.
3) Bunkar, Neeraj, “Spring Thunder: Adivasi Resistance for ‘Jal, Jangal, Jameen,’” Economic Political Weekly, Vol. 57 (18) <https://www.epw.in/journal/2022/18/postscript/spring-thunder.html> 72-74, April 30, 2022.
4) Bunkar, Neeraj, “Journey from Extremist Hindu to Humanist Ambedkarite: A Conversation with Dalit Author Bhanwar Meghwanshi,” Mainstream Weekly, Vol. 61 (12) <http://www.mainstreamweekly.net/article13220.html> March 18, 2023.
5) Bunkar, Neeraj, “Savarna Saviors and Subaltern Stereotypes: The Caste Problem in ‘Panchayat’”, <https://www.roundtableindia.co.in/savarna-saviors-and-subaltern-stereotypes-the-caste-problem-in-panchayat/> June 18, 2024.
6) Bunkar, Neeraj, “Covid-19: Bhilwara Model, Breaking the myth of merit,” Round Table India, <https://www.roundtableindia.co.in/covid-19-bhilwara-model-breaking-the-myth-of-merit/> April 22, 2020.
Areas of Study:
Cinema, Caste, Dalit, Representation, Rajasthan, Folklore, Gaze, Spectatorship