Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Rajeev Krishna, IPS (1991: UP) has urged the film industry to change the traditional portrayal of the police on screen and showcase the transformation taking place in the state police force.
Speaking to members of the film industry in the presence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Krishna made the appeal in a light-hearted manner, pointing out that stereotypes of police personnel as late, lethargic, poorly equipped and short of resources continue to influence public perception.
He said the changing reality of policing needs to be reflected in films and other forms of popular culture.
‘Police Force Has Also Evolved’
The DGP’s remarks came against the backdrop of the rapidly changing role of policing, with technology, cybercrime investigation, modern command systems and improved infrastructure becoming increasingly important.
Just as politics, the corporate sector and the film industry have evolved over the years, the police force has also undergone significant transformation, Krishna indicated.
The UP Police leadership wants filmmakers to move away from clichéd depictions and portray police officers as smart, professional, well-groomed and technologically equipped personnel.
The idea, essentially, is to reset the narrative around the police and bring screen portrayals closer to the changing reality on the ground.
DGP Invites Filmmakers to See Modern UP Police Infrastructure
Krishna did not restrict his appeal to the film industry merely changing its portrayal of the police.
He invited filmmakers and members of the entertainment industry to visit some of the modern facilities developed by the Uttar Pradesh Police.
These include the state-of-the-art command and control system, the cyber-crime mitigation centre and modern barracks for police personnel.
According to the DGP, modern police infrastructure has been developed across 56 districts, reflecting the state’s efforts to strengthen policing facilities and improve the working environment for personnel.
The invitation was aimed at giving filmmakers an opportunity to see the transformation of the police force first-hand before portraying it on screen.
Nana Patekar, Shankar Mahadevan Among Film Personalities Present
The interaction brought together senior members of the Uttar Pradesh government and personalities from the film and entertainment industry.
Actor Nana Patekar and renowned music composer Shankar Mahadevan were among those present at the event.
The presence of prominent film personalities provided a platform for the police leadership to communicate how popular cinema can influence public perception of law enforcement.
From Stereotypes to Technology-Driven Policing
For decades, Indian films have often portrayed police personnel through familiar stereotypes—officers arriving late at crime scenes, using outdated methods, struggling with basic resources or being portrayed as lethargic.
The UP Police’s latest outreach seeks to challenge that image.
The force today increasingly relies on technology, integrated command-and-control systems, cybercrime investigation and modern infrastructure to deal with emerging forms of crime.
The DGP’s appeal therefore centred on the need for popular culture to acknowledge this transition.
UP Police Increasingly Uses Cinema and Digital Media for Outreach
The UP Police has itself increasingly used popular culture and digital platforms to connect with citizens.
From cyber-safety campaigns and short films to creative social-media messaging, the police force has experimented with formats traditionally associated with the entertainment industry.
Such initiatives are aimed at communicating messages on cybercrime awareness, consent, public safety and responsible digital behaviour in formats that can reach a wider audience.
The latest appeal to Bollywood takes this engagement a step further by asking the industry to also reflect the changing face of policing.
Why the ‘Narrative’ Matters
The DGP’s message comes at a time when public perception of law enforcement is shaped not only by direct interactions with police but also by films, television, social media and digital content.
A stereotypical portrayal can reinforce an outdated perception, while showcasing modern policing can help communicate the changes taking place within the force.
The UP Police therefore wants the entertainment industry to look beyond traditional police characters and reflect the professional, technology-enabled and better-equipped force that it says is emerging in the state.
The outreach also signals an effort by the police leadership to build a closer relationship with the creative industry and use popular culture as a medium for public communication.
Rajeev Krishna: Key Points of His Appeal
- Change the stereotype: Bollywood should move away from portraying police as late, lethargic and poorly equipped.
- Show modern policing: Films should reflect the professional, smart and technology-driven face of today’s UP Police.
- Visit police facilities: Filmmakers were invited to see the command-and-control system, cybercrime mitigation centre and modern barracks.
- Bridge perception and reality: The objective is to bring the public image of the police closer to the transformation taking place within the force.
Read also: IPS Rajeev Krishna: The Engineer Who Rose to Lead Uttar Pradesh Police as DGP
