The 2006 Bollywood film “Rang De Basanti” directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, explores themes of youth disillusionment, nationalism, and the pervasive corruption in Indian politics and governance. R Madhvan’s famous dialogue “Koi bhi desh perfect nahi hota, usse behtar banana padta hai.”, encapsulates the essence of the film.

While praised for its artistic and powerful storytelling, Rang De Basanti serves as a scathing critique of public policy failures, addressing issues such as corruption, lack of accountability, political manipulation, and the inefficiencies of the judicial system. Through personal tragedy and collective outrage, this film illustrates the consequences of these failures and the resulting apathy among the youth.

1. Corruption in Government Contracts

One of the most glaring public policy issues addressed is the corruption in defense procurement, which leads to the death of a young fighter pilot, Flight Lieutenant Ajay Rathod. His mother’s anguished words, “Mere bete ki maut aise nahi hui, usse maara gaya hai”, reflect the devastating human cost of systemic corruption.

Corruption in such deals not only endangers lives but also erodes public trust in governmental institutions. The film underscores the urgent need for stringent regulations and transparency in public contracts to prevent such tragedies.

2. Lack of Accountability & Power Abuse

Another central theme in the film is the lack of accountability and manipulation of political power for personal gain, particularly in how the government handles the fallout from Ajay’s death. Following Ajay’s death, the government evades responsibility, with the defense minister labeling protestors as “deshdrohi” (traitors) to deflect blame. This manipulation of public opinion exemplifies the abuse of power and the systemic resistance to reform.

Sue’s observation “Jab koi system itna corrupt ho jaye ke woh sudharne layak na rahe, toh usse badal dena chahiye.” is a sharp commentary on the failures of public policy frameworks that enable corrupt officials to remain in power without facing repercussions and reflect the film’s call for a systemic change.

3. Youth Apathy and Disillusionment with Politics

The film portrays youth’s apathy towards politics. Initially, the central characters are depicted as being completely disinterested in the political system, which is a reflection of a broader societal detachment from public affairs. DJ’s iconic line, “Is desh ka kuch nahi ho sakta, yaar” reflects this sentiment. This detachment stems from a belief that individual efforts cannot influence the system, leading to a culture of disengagement.

However, there is a shift from passive disillusionment to active engagement, where the characters realise that change requires their involvement. This shift in perspective reflects a critical public policy issue in India- the need to engage younger generations in governance processes.

4. Failure of the Judicial System

In ‘Rang De Basanti’, there is a pervasive mistrust of the judicial system, a reflection of the broader public sentiment in India regarding delayed and inaccessible justice. The characters’ frustration with the system is evident when Karan states that they will shoot the system down themselves. Thus the depiction of the youth taking matters into their own hands highlights the failure of the judicial and legal systems to provide timely justice. It suggests that when people lose faith in public institutions, they may resort to vigilante justice or radical actions. This breakdown of trust in the judicial system poses a serious challenge to the rule of law and the efficacy of public policy.

5. Media as a Tool for Justice

Lastly, the film explores the role of media in shaping public opinion and its potential as a tool for justice. The media is depicted as both a powerful ally and a tool of manipulation, capable of bringing attention to systemic failures while also being susceptible to political influence.

Sonia remarks that there is nothing more powerful than the media, signifying the influence that the press and news outlets can have in holding the powerful accountable. This highlights the role that public policy must play in ensuring the independence and integrity of the media, as it can be a critical mechanism for exposing corruption and mobilizing public sentiment for change.

Thus, we can say that the problems highlighted in the film are a reflection of real-world challenges in governance. The whole film stresses on winning the war against attrition of the political system causing decay throughout the country in the form of lack of trust by youth who are considered the future of the nation, and at the same time urges the youth to engage in the political process and hold those in power accountable.