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By:

Abhijit Joshi

31 August 2024 at 10:09:24 am

Sunetra Pawar’s Trial by Fire

The greatest challenge before Maharashtra’s first Deputy CM is not merely to govern, but to forge a political identity that is unmistakably her own. Politics often rewards the loudest voice. The modern political arena thrives on sharp sound bites, relentless television appearances and instant responses on social media. Yet, some leaders begin their journey not with thunder but with quiet resolve. Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar finds herself at precisely such a moment. In...

Sunetra Pawar’s Trial by Fire

The greatest challenge before Maharashtra’s first Deputy CM is not merely to govern, but to forge a political identity that is unmistakably her own. Politics often rewards the loudest voice. The modern political arena thrives on sharp sound bites, relentless television appearances and instant responses on social media. Yet, some leaders begin their journey not with thunder but with quiet resolve. Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar finds herself at precisely such a moment. In recent days, she has been drawn into an avoidable political controversy after the Maharashtra Congress dubbed her as “Gungi Gudiya” (“mute doll”) following a media interaction in which she chose not to answer journalists' questions. The remark quickly snowballed into a wider debate about the language used against women occupying high constitutional office. It also revived memories of the same epithet once directed at late Congress Prime Minister Indira Gandhi before she went on to become one of India’s most formidable political figures. Until recently, Sunetra Pawar remained largely outside the glare of frontline politics. She was better known in Baramati for her work in education, healthcare and social welfare than for fiery speeches or electoral campaigns. Her public image was that of a composed, private individual who preferred institution-building to political theatre. Political Limelight That changed in 2024 when she entered electoral politics, contesting the Lok Sabha election from Baramati against her sister-in-law, Supriya Sule. Though unsuccessful, she later entered Parliament through the Rajya Sabha, where she quietly focused on organisational responsibilities and social initiatives rather than cultivating a high-profile parliamentary persona. The defining moment came in January this year with the tragic death of her husband, Ajit Pawar, one of the state’s most experienced and influential political leaders. His passing created a political vacuum within the Nationalist Congress Party. At a moment of uncertainty, Sunetra Pawar stepped forward to shoulder responsibilities that few had imagined she would inherit so soon. Within days, she became Maharashtra’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister - a milestone in the state’s political history. But such transitions are rarely straightforward. Political parties often struggle when towering personalities disappear, and observers had predicted that the NCP might witness internal divisions. Maintaining organisational cohesion during a leadership transition is itself a considerable achievement, particularly in a state where political loyalties are often fluid and intensely personalised. However, much of the public conversation around Sunetra Pawar continues to be framed through comparisons with Ajit Pawar. The contrast is obvious. Ajit Pawar was known for his decisiveness, administrative grip and unmistakable public presence. Sunetra Pawar, by contrast, has generally remained soft-spoken, measured and reluctant to engage in unnecessary confrontation. Her supporters see restraint, dignity and maturity but critics see hesitation and insufficient public engagement. Neither assessment is entirely unfair. That is why the recent Beed incident acquired significance beyond a routine press interaction. When reporters sought her comments on law and order and she chose to leave without responding, the political vacuum was quickly filled by her opponents. The Congress’s “Gungi Gudiya” remark predictably provoked protests from the NCP and criticism from leaders across the ruling alliance, many of whom argued that such language diminished the dignity of a woman holding one of the state’s highest offices. Sunetra Pawar’s own response was notably restrained. She said she would offer a “fitting reply at the appropriate time.” The remark was consistent with the temperament she has displayed since entering public life. Leadership is ultimately judged not only by composure but also by visibility. Every major political figure eventually reaches a point where inherited legitimacy must give way to earned authority. Indira Gandhi had to step beyond Jawaharlal Nehru's towering legacy before she was recognised in her own right. Rajiv Gandhi, too, had to emerge from the shadow of Indira Gandhi while navigating extraordinary political circumstances. Their journeys were shaped by vastly different contexts, but they illustrate a universal truth: every successor must eventually become an original. Sunetra Pawar now confronts a similar, though far more modest, challenge. She must cease to be viewed primarily as “Ajit Pawar's wife” and come into her own. Distinct Identity That transformation cannot be achieved through symbolism alone. After all, lasting political stature is built through decisions, administrative outcomes and public confidence. To her credit, she has remained engaged with governance, regularly attending official programmes, reviewing development projects and interacting with citizens instead of chasing daily headlines. Yet the next stage of leadership demands something more. She will need to engage more confidently with the media, articulate her government's priorities in her own voice, and establish an administrative record that reflects independent judgement rather than inherited expectations. These are demanding tasks, but they are neither unusual nor unattainable. It is still too soon to measure Sunetra Pawar’s political legacy. She assumed responsibility at a moment when both her party and the state were adjusting to an unexpected transition, and has so far navigated that passage with composure. Yet political inheritance has a limited shelf life. While quietness, in itself, is neither a virtue nor a weakness, it acquires meaning only when it is accompanied by clarity and conviction. If Sunetra Pawar is to leave an enduring imprint on Maharashtra's politics, it will not be by echoing the style of Ajit Pawar or by answering every taunt from her opponents. It will be by developing a public voice that reflects her own instincts, her own priorities and, ultimately, her own leadership. (The writer is a political observer. Views personal.)

Why do Indian superheroes fail to impress the audience?

Mumbai: Spider-Man continues to enjoy phenomenal success at the Indian box office, highlighting the country's enduring fascination with Hollywood superheroes. But the craze also raises an important question: Has Bollywood missed the opportunity to build its own superhero universe?


India has produced memorable superheroes like Shaktimaan and the Krrish franchise, while Indian comics are home to several iconic characters. Yet, unlike Hollywood, the Hindi film industry has not consistently developed the genre into a thriving franchise business.


Trade experts Atul Mohan and Taran Adarsh believe the reasons are rooted in long-term planning, storytelling and sustained investment.


Trade analyst Atul Mohan says Hollywood's dominance in India is the result of decades of strategic effort rather than overnight success.


"The commercial success of Hollywood films in India, particularly within the superhero genre, represents a gradual, long-term market shift rather than a sudden breakthrough. It is the result of a long-term strategy of patiently building a market that was once considered only an emerging opportunity."


Audience Perception

Recalling how the market evolved, Mohan says Hollywood films were once limited to a few theatres in major cities before Jurassic Park changed audience perceptions.


"In the early ’90s, Hollywood was restricted to a few screens in major metros like Mumbai and Delhi. Everything changed with Jurassic Park—it was the definitive turning point that proved Indian audiences were ready for massive big-screen spectacles. Soon after, Sony Pictures introduced Spider-Man (2002), which became one of the widest Hollywood releases of its time and a runaway success. Since then, every new Spider-Man film has expanded its reach and strengthened its fan base."


He believes the expansion of multiplexes across the country further accelerated Hollywood's growth.


"The rise of Spider-Man coincided with the rapid growth of multiplexes in India. As exhibition expanded beyond the metros into tier-II and tier-III cities, Hollywood event films found a much larger audience. Franchises such as Fast & Furious, Transformers, The Avengers and the wider Marvel and DC universes steadily built loyal fan bases. Studios also invested heavily in wider releases, dubbed versions and stronger marketing campaigns."


Hollywood’s Presence

According to Mohan, this sustained effort transformed Hollywood's presence in India.


"When a market shows sustained growth, every global studio naturally wants a larger share of it. Hollywood has done exactly that. From a negligible presence three decades ago, English-language films today contribute nearly 25-30% of India's annual box-office collections in many years, driven largely by franchise and superhero cinema. That growth has not happened by chance; it has been achieved through consistent investment, localisation, aggressive distribution and strong support from the multiplex ecosystem."


He adds that every new Spider-Man release is the result of a strategy that has been nurtured for more than two decades.


"When a Spider-Man film lands in theatres today, it’s not just another superhero release – it’s a major market event that shifts the entire theatrical landscape. It reflects a strategy that Hollywood has followed successfully for over two decades—creating recognisable franchises, nurturing audiences across generations and treating India as one of its most important international markets. Judging by the response these films continue to receive, this trend is only expected to become stronger in the years ahead."


Unexplored Genre

Trade analyst Taran Adarsh believes the Indian film industry has simply not explored the superhero genre enough.


"I don't know why we've not really tapped into that market. There have been attempts in the past where superhero films have come out. Krrish franchise has done very well, I'm not denying that. Tiger Shroff did a superhero film directed by Remo D'Souza which bombed very badly."


For Adarsh, the audience is already primed for the genre.


"Basically, we've not really tapped into that market. This market has tremendous potential. As far as Spider-Man is concerned or any Hollywood superhero film is concerned, those films have actually, over the decades, have become a part of our moviegoing experience. And Spider-Man used to come on TV also in animation. We've seen those films, and we've really liked Spider-Man saving the world, saving people from enemies. That kind of stories still remain intact."


Asked whether Indian superhero films have a future, Adarsh is confident.


"There is huge potential! But we've not been tapping that market."


He also believes India has no shortage of inspiring characters.


"There are many! I won't really recall names, but there are so many comic book characters that we can take. And there are real-life people who are superheroes. Everyone doesn't wear costume and be a superhero. But there are so many people who can be superheroes in real life and be projected on screen. So why not?"


Audience Support

Adarsh is equally confident that audiences would support Indian superheroes if the films match Hollywood's standards.


"Yes, if they can patronize Hollywood movies then why not Indian films? Of course, Hollywood is backed by solid storytelling as well as visual effects, but we can also do that."


Spider-Man's record-breaking run in India once again underlines the audience's love for superhero stories. The challenge, the experts suggest, is not convincing viewers to embrace Indian superheroes, but giving them compelling characters, strong storytelling and world-class filmmaking to believe in.

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