“Cinema is the beating heart of a nation…”: Gautam Adani urges India to reclaim its global narrative

Gautam Adani, Chairman, Adani Group, urged India to effectively shape its global image by reclaiming its narrative through cinema, storytelling and emerging technologies. Speaking to students at Whistling Woods International University, Adani stressed that India’s identity should not be defined through foreign lenses.

“I never imagined that an infrastructure entrepreneur like me would speak to some of the most creative minds in our country,” Adani said. “This year is truly special, as it marks the centenary celebrations of two towering legends – Guru Dutt ji and Raj Kapoor ji. Together they have taught us that cinema is not just entertainment; it is moving poetry, a colorful philosophy, and the heartbeat of a nation finding its voice.”

“If we do not tell who we are, others will rewrite our identity,” he said, urging the nation to take charge of its stories in an age where narratives influence perceptions globally. Adani stressed that India’s reluctance to own its narrative has enabled others to benefit from distorted images of the country’s reality, especially through Western films depicting India.

Adani noted the dangers of remaining silent on the world stage, warning that “silence is not humility, it is surrender,” and pointed to films like “Gandhi” and “Slumdog Millionaire” as examples where Indian stories have been filtered through outside lenses. He said the lack of ownership of the narrative allowed caricatures of Indian identity to dominate international perceptions. “Our weakness has never been imagination; it has been hesitation,” he said, stressing that India has the creative potential but often refrains from asserting its voice.

He also warned of the dual power of storytelling, saying: “In the right hands, it shapes nations. In the wrong hands, it manipulates minds.” Adani stressed that the responsibility for shaping India’s identity should lie with creative people, and not with those who may lack a true understanding of the country’s complexities. He spoke about the impact of storytelling beyond entertainment, noting its ability to shape perceptions and move markets.

Given the recent challenges, Adani drew attention to the 2023 Hindenburg report, which temporarily erased more than US$100 billion from the Adani Group’s market capitalization. He called it a “completely false story” that had been “weaponized” and referred to the report as a “calculated attack.” “This experience taught me that in today’s world, the truth must also be spoken out loud. Silence leaves space for others to write your destiny,” he said.

Adani confirmed that the Adani group succeeded in regaining its discourse and emerged stronger. He commented that the episode showed an era “where headlines can undo decades of hard work, and where stories of truth trail stories of perception.” He insisted that India must “own our story, not arrogantly, but authentically, not as propaganda, but as purpose.”

To illustrate the influence of cinema, Adani pointed to American films, saying that film “doesn’t just sell cinema, it shows power.” “Behind the battles and heroics lie brilliantly crafted narratives,” he explained, “one that displays national pride, the strength of the American military, drives exports, and is an image of American courage to every corner of the world. These films are not just stories. They are strategic tools designed to shape perception, project US power, and define US identity.” Titles included such as Independence Day, Black Hawk Down, American Sniper, Rocky, Apollo 13and Rambo As examples.

Addressing the imbalance in the way India’s stories are told globally, Adani said, “For too long, India’s voice has been resolute within our borders but muted beyond. In that silence, others have taken up the pen, drawing Bharat through their bias-tinted lenses shaped to suit them.” He questioned why films like “Slumdog Millionaire” and “Gandhi” continue to define Indian narratives, saying, “Our grief has become their spectacle,” and called for an end to the cultural outsourcing of Indian identity.