The Great Indian Family : An analysis of religious othering through food identity

Muslim cuisine in many Indian contexts is frequently “othered” through various sociocultural mechanisms. Unlike the vegetarian diet which is often associated with upper‐caste Hindu practices, traditional Muslim cuisine typically includes meat dishes, particularly beef, which remains taboo in Hindu traditions. The film review explores how the protagonist of The Great Indian Family (2023) navigates these complex social boundaries, portraying his confusion and eventual adaptation to new food practices as a metaphor for broader questions of religious identity, belonging, and cultural hybridity in modern India. It also examines his struggle to reconcile conflicting religious identities, particularly through dietary practices, showcasing how food functions as a powerful marker of religious and cultural identity in India.