Filmmaker Jyoti Nisha’s documentary, Dr BR Ambedkar: Now and Then, one of two documentaries released on MUBI to commemorate Dr Ambedkar’s 134th birth anniversary, delves into the enduring issue of casteism in India. A significant aspect that the film depicts is the representation of Bahujans in cinema, highlighting the oppositional gaze and political strategy this community uses to contest the Brahminical oppression in the film industry. The documentary, which has director Pa Ranjith as a presenter, uses examples from his work and others to illustrate how Dalits have historically been depicted in popular culture. Jyoti, who also narrates the film, contextualises this depiction within the backdrop of recent caste-based violence in India.

Reflecting on a point in the film, Jyoti acknowledges the observations that "India is caught between traditions and modernity" and that "any society that follows religious dogma and blind faith cannot develop." On what it means for a society to be modern, Jyoti firmly states, "We have to do away with blind faith and superstition because there is a lot that is at cost, especially life." She highlights the tragic consequences of such beliefs, citing instances of honour killing and sacrifices. For Jyoti, a progressive society is one where individuals are "truly treated as equals, not defined by a certain identity, have equal rights, and are encouraged, acknowledged and engaged for their potential, talent, kindness, empathy, and leadership." She believes that focusing on these inherent human qualities is far more valuable than adhering to rigid social hierarchies.

The filmmaker emphasises that fostering a progressive society starts at the foundational level. "It begins in your own house. This is to look at it clinically and does not come from a place of malice. It comes from a place of curiosity, of having great self-worth to not see yourself as any less." She views caste identities as "constructs created by humans" and advocates for comparing the Indian context with developed nations to understand what progress entails. For Jyoti, progress is about having "the opportunity to question and to look at things through fresh, personal, lived experiences to truly understand and be fair." 

She stresses the importance of fairness in building upon existing movements for social justice, desiring a world where equity, equality, and self-respect are fundamental and where the capacity to create knowledge, think originally and collaborate more is nurtured. The documentary also touches upon the significant role cinema plays in shaping societal perceptions, highlighting the historically low representation and frequent stereotyping of Dalits in Hindi cinema. Jyoti asserts that cinema is more than mere entertainment; it is a powerful medium to ask the right questions about human rights. She emphasises the importance of understanding cinema within its historical context, noting that "cinema is a site of ideological state production," a concept attributed to French Marxist philosopher Louis Althusser, who categorised cinema alongside mass media, family, and other institutions as influential in shaping ideology.

Jyoti underscores that the ability of cinema to contribute to a better society is intrinsically linked to who controls the narrative. She says, "You cannot make films without having the funds to say what you want to say." Jyoti believes that with the right intention, cinema can contribute to a "safer world for women and children." The director also reminds us how caste-conscious casting happens in films. While acknowledging the commercial pressures of casting, she firmly believes that authentic representation will “send out the right message,” besides providing "opportunities for people who want to be actors." She adds, "Achieving this requires intention and direction as well as a lot of convincing with filmmakers."

Speaking of which, there has been a lot of opposition against filmmakers who depict caste-based atrocities in films such as the recently released L2: Empuraan. Discussing the challenges in depicting reality in cinema, Jyoti emphasises that creating meaningful change is not one person's effort but a collective effort where scientific thinkers, rational thinkers, and progressive thinkers come together to raise their voices. She also stresses the necessity of collective action and support for those who speak the truth, noting that "no citizen will have as much power as the state." To draw a parallel to the underrepresentation of marginalised communities in other spheres, it pays to look at the inadequate representation of Muslims and Dalits in the Indian cricket team. Talking about this topic, Jyoti critiques the dismissive response that often attributes this to a lack of talent within these communities. "That is the way they stereotype. They say, ‘No, you cannot do it. You cannot be correct’. Whatever you have done, no matter what, you must have done the most excellent work and you must have the greatest potential." She identifies this as an "upper-class gaze of denying," which invalidates the experiences of marginalised communities.

Jyoti emphasises the importance of acknowledging and validating these experiences, lamenting the tendency of only upper-class people to talk about things that affect others. “It is definitely not the correct way to go about it," the filmmaker says. She advocates for genuine representation beyond tokenism, expressing her continued hope for a progressive world built on scientific temperament. The documentary addresses the historical exclusion of Dr Ambedkar's ideology, a phenomenon Jyoti describes as a "systematic exclusion done with a reason". There has been plenty of political back-and-forth between parties regarding the acknowledgement of Dr Ambedkar's contributions. For instance, Congress had once called out the BJP’s decision to replace Dr Ambedkar's portraits with PM Modi’s portraits, whereas the BJP questioned the other party’s lack of adherence to the erstwhile leader’s ideologies. For Jyoti, the aforesaid is not merely a sad state of affairs; it is a deliberate erasure of history and movements. The filmmaker passionately underscores the immeasurable impact of Dr Ambedkar on every aspect of Indian life, from constitutional rights and labour laws to the establishment of the RBI. She laments the reduction of his legacy to mere "identity" in popular culture.