India’s Deadly Air Crisis and Its Cultural Blind Spot

India’s Deadly Air Crisis: A Silent Villain

India faces a staggering air pollution problem, particularly during winter when smog engulfs northern regions. Delhi often ranks among the most polluted cities globally, with toxic PM2.5 levels making the air hazardous to breathe. Yet, despite being a health crisis that affects millions, the India deadly air crisis rarely gets the attention it deserves in cultural narratives like films or literature.

While other environmental disasters, like floods or earthquakes, often inspire compelling stories in Indian cinema, air pollution remains in the shadows. Siddharth Singh, author of The Great Smog of India, calls it a “failure of representation” in both filmmaking and literature.

Why Air Pollution Lacks Cultural Representation
One reason for this gap is the “invisible” nature of pollution. Unlike dramatic floods or fires, the slow violence of air pollution doesn’t lend itself to compelling visuals. As author Amitav Ghosh noted, people have normalized the crisis, making it harder to evoke outrage or emotional response through storytelling.

Additionally, those creating cultural content often live insulated lives. Filmmakers and writers are usually far removed from the grim realities faced by those who live near toxic rivers or under perpetually smog-filled skies. This privilege creates a disconnect, leaving crucial narratives unexplored.

How Artists and Filmmakers Address Air Pollution
Despite this, some creators have attempted to address the issue. Shaunak Sen’s Oscar-nominated documentary All That Breathes captures Delhi’s pollution crisis through the eyes of two brothers who rescue birds falling from the polluted skies. The film beautifully connects human and environmental crises.

Similarly, filmmaker Nila Madhab Panda has used his work to highlight environmental issues. His short film in 2019 explored pollution through a courtroom drama where a couple debates leaving Delhi due to its unlivable air quality. Panda emphasizes the importance of blending entertainment with social messages to reach a wider audience.

Singh, however, notes the challenge of humanizing statistics. “We hear about millions dying due to pollution annually, but where are their stories?” he asks. The lack of personal narratives makes it difficult to stir empathy and action.

Even literature has started to explore these themes. Authors like Amitav Ghosh and Nilanjana S. Roy weave environmental issues into their works, showing how pollution and climate change impact lives. Social media, too, plays a role, with memes and photos often capturing the absurdity of living in polluted cities.

The Road Ahead
Addressing the India deadly air crisis requires more than policy changes—it needs cultural representation that resonates with the public. Memes and films, when done effectively, can act as “Trojan horses,” sneaking critical ideas into mainstream conversations. Creators must rise to the challenge, using their platforms to spark change and inspire action.