Salaam Bombay! (1988) | How Woke Is It?

Our VerdictNot Woke

Salaam Bombay!1988

In a free society the right to critique art is essential and protected speech. These reviews reflect personal opinions and not statements of fact.

What We Think

"Salaam Bombay!" is about as non-woke as it gets, rooted in realism, not ideology. It’s gritty, but its lens is refreshingly absent of the modern cultural sermonizing we've come to expect. A rare old-school film that actually lets its story do the talking.

Score Breakdown

Compromised:Narrative Integrity

Not Woke

What is this?

The film focuses on realistic portrayals of street children in Mumbai and steers clear of identity politics or ideological casting. Characters are written with depth and nuance, not as checkboxes for representation. The narrative avoids contemporary ideological themes and remains true to its social realist goals.

Compromised:Cultural Foundations

Not Woke

What is this?

While it highlights hardship and societal issues, it does not actively undermine tradition, religion, or family. The film’s portrayal of family breakdown is contextual rather than ideological. There's no clear agenda to subvert cultural or religious norms, just a raw depiction of reality.

Compromised:Ideological Monoculture

Not Woke

What is this?

"Salaam Bombay!" refrains from overtly pushing any modern ideological narrative or ridiculing traditional viewpoints. Instead, it offers a humanist lens, focused on survival, rather than on moralizing about gender, race, or identity dynamics.

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Disclaimer: In a free society the right to critique art is essential and protected as a form of free speech and freedom of expression. The reviews and commentary on this site represent personal opinions and interpretations. They are not statements of fact and should not be taken as factual claims about any individual, company, or creative work.