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Crimson Crescent — The Last Quarter : A Bold Sequel Unmasking the Perils of Totalitarian Ideologies

New Delhi — Crimson Crescent — The Last Quarter, a riveting 105-minute feature film by acclaimed filmmaker Mayank Jain, emerges as a powerful and timely sequel to the 2005 documentary Bangla Crescent — ISI, Madarasas & Infiltration. The original film, launched by senior IPS officers Late Shri KPS Gill, Prakash Singh and Late Shri R.K. Ohri, was a path-breaking exposé of indoctrination and infiltration in the Indian subcontinent.

Twenty-five years later, Crimson Crescent arrives with undiminished urgency. These 25 years have been largely wasted. Infiltration has not ceased. Indoctrination through madrasas has not slowed. And most alarmingly, the threats identified in Bangla Crescent — ISI, madarasas & Infiltration have only metastasised—spreading far beyond borders.

Global Canvas: From South Asia to Europe and the Middle East

Jain while speaking with Sanatan Prabhat said, while Bangla Crescent– ISI, madrasas & Infiltration focused sharply on Bangladesh and Pakistan’s role in radicalisation and infiltration, Crimson Crescent — The Last Quarter greatly expands its scope. The film explores the rising aggression in many European countries grappling with mass immigration from Middle Eastern, African and Pakistani regions. It captures the social unrest, ideological clashes and erosion of public safety emerging from these demographic and cultural shifts.

The documentary also covers the volatile Middle East, diving into the complex dynamics of Saudi Arabia, Iran, Syria and Israel. Here it examines not only the geopolitics but also the internal ideological conflicts and state-sponsored radical narratives that continue to destabilise the region. Encouragingly, signs of rationality and scientific thinking are beginning to emerge within the highest echelons of power—a welcome and much-needed development.

Crimson Crescent draws a provocative and compelling parallel between three major ideological threats of the past and present: Nazism, Communism and Jihadism. All three, the film argues, are driven by a thirst for absolute control and the destruction of dissent. Each has claimed millions of lives and eroded the moral foundations of societies they have touched.

Mayank Jain asserts that these ideologies thrive by silencing reason, glorifying violence and promoting absolute truth claims—often using religious or revolutionary fervour as a shield. The film is a cautionary tale of what happens when indoctrination replaces education and belief systems abandon dialogue in favour of dogma.

Credits : Mayank Jain

Indoctrination and the Danger of Absolute Truth

A central theme of the film is the insidious power of indoctrination through institutions like madrasas. It reveals how such education systems instil rigid ideological thinking, leading to intolerance, polarisation and often violent radicalisation. The film critiques societies that fail to challenge these systems and instead allow radical narratives to flourish in the name of tradition or religious freedom.

Muslims as Victims of Islamist Terror

A lesser-acknowledged but crucial aspect the film highlights is that Muslims themselves are often the first victims of Islamist extremism. From Shia Muslims targeted in Pakistan to the marginalisation and persecution of other minority Muslim sects, Crimson Crescent explores the deep fractures within the Muslim world…

A Ray of Hope: Reform Within Islam

Amidst the bleak landscape, Crimson Crescent also offers hope. It recognises the growing internal reform movements within radical Islam where bold voices from within the community are challenging violence and calling for rationality in discourse. The film uplifts these efforts, urging both policymakers and civil society to support rational reformers rather than extremists.

Reason is humanity’s shield against ideological tyranny,” says Jain, reinforcing the film’s core message: that education, critical thinking and open dialogue are the only long-term antidotes to radicalisation.

A Call to Action: Resist Absolutism, Embrace Dialogue

This is not just a documentary, ‘Crimson Crescent — The Last Quarter’,  is a call to action. It appeals to governments, communities and individuals to resist the growing appeal of absolutism and divisive ideologies. It advocates for education policies that foster rational thought and for a cultural shift toward Universalism, intellectual freedom and unity.

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About the Filmmaker: Mayank Jain

Mayank Jain, a renowned filmmaker

Mayank Jain is a renowned filmmaker with over 27 years of experience and more than 50 critically acclaimed films to his credit. His work spans governance, national security, public health and social reform and is known for tackling complex issues with intellectual rigour and cinematic clarity.

He rose to national prominence with India Tomorrow – The Gujarat Miracle (2007), a documentary on Gujarat’s development model under Shri Narendra Modi, launched at BJP headquarters by Shri Rajnath Singh and Late Shri Arun Jaitley. As Content Head of NaMo TV during the 2012 Gujarat elections, he shaped political communication strategies with high-impact visuals.

Mayank’s portfolio includes politically resonant films like Gujarat Fast Track, Gujarat Tomorrow and No to Terror, as well as public health documentaries such as The Evidence—Meat Kills (2017), released by Smt. Maneka Gandhi and the Death Warrant series on Doordarshan, addressing issues like addiction, HIV/AIDS and medical malpractice.

His educational films for IGNOU and The Leprosy Mission, and his upcoming documentary on untouchability and caste unity reflect his ongoing commitment to truthful, socially driven cinema.

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