Vol. 14 No. 1 (2026)
Space and Culture, India

Special Articles

Heroes, Villains, and the Divine: Shifting Portrayals of Myth in Contemporary Indian Films

Published 2026-06-20

  • Piyush Kumar
    • ,
  • Milan Chauhan
    • ,
  • Ajeet Singh
    • ,
  • Swasti Mishra

Piyush Kumar
Department of Humanistic Studies, Indian Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India

Milan Chauhan
Department of Humanistic Studies, Indian Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India

Ajeet Singh
Department of Humanistic Studies, Indian Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India

Swasti Mishra
Department of Humanistic Studies, Indian Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India

Abstract

Action films have received immense popularity, both critically and commercially. They have reshaped the portrayal of heroes in contemporary times. This epic narrative often elevates the classic action hero to a mythological figure. Such transformations reflect not only creative innovation but also deeper archetypal patterns that shape the mythic foundations of these stories. This study argues that the heroes evolve from traditional mythic ideals to a “Devilish” archetype, drawing on Joseph Campbell’s (2004) The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Moreover, this shift embodies changing storytelling conventions and societal beliefs. The concept of “mythic” production creates a unique connection between the film and the audience, fostering deeper engagement. Focusing on five films—K.G.F. (2018), Lucifer (2019), Kantara (2022), Jawan (2023), and Salaar (2023)—this analysis identifies three key “contact zones”: Godly, Societal, and Individual. These intersections underscore each film’s primary themes, often perpetuating discussions on masculinity, violence, and regional identity, sometimes at the expense of feminist perspectives. This paper sheds light on how mythic portrayals of action heroes reflect societal values and tensions, especially around gender and cultural identity in a global context.

Keywords

Devilish Hero, Mythmaking, Contact Zone, Pan-Indian Cinema, Action Films, India

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Author Biography

Piyush Kumar

Piyush Kumar is a researcher in the department of Humanistic Studies, IIT (BHU). His academic interests are in applied linguistics and Gothic studies. His work explores the intersections of language, literature, and cultural narratives, with a particular focus on how linguistic structures inform and reflect Gothic themes. 

Milan Chauhan

Milan Chauhan is a researcher in the department of Humanistic Studies, IIT (BHU). His academic interests are in folk narratives, oral tradition and gender studies. His work explores the intersections of literature, folk culture and oral narratives, with a particular focus on how oral tradition informs and reflects contemporary issues. 

Ajeet Singh

Ajeet Singh is a researcher in the department of Humanistic Studies, IIT (BHU). His academic interests are in sociolinguistics, lexicography and computational linguistics. 

Swasti Mishra

Dr. Swasti Mishra is an assistant professor in the Department of Humanistic Studies, IIT (BHU). Her academic interests are in Sociolinguistics, Lexicography, Language and Gender and Computational linguistics. Her work explores the intersections of language, cultural narratives and gender dynamics, with a particular focus on how language informs and reflects gender related themes. 

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