Film on Kanhaiya interesting, but tricky, say filmmakers

Bollywood directors say that a film on the ongoing JNU row will need to be dealt with responsibly.

Jawaharlal Nehru University student leader Kanhaiya Kumar has become a household name, especially after his speech after his release from Tihar Jail, recently. And it’ll be no surprise if the 28-year-old soon becomes the subject of a Bollywood film, because everyone loves a controversy! We got talking to filmmakers, and while they believe that the ongoing JNU row would make for a great plot, they say it must be dealt with ­carefully. “It cannot be a typical, frivolous Bollywood film,” says Tigmanshu Dhulia.

Apart from sports, the only system in India where an impoverished young India has a chance of faring well is the political system (Sanjeev Verma/ HT Photo)

Mahesh Bhatt, too, opines that a film on Kanhaiya will need some work. “This is the season of biopics. Kanhaiya has caught the imagination of the nation, especially of the younger generation and is someone who questions the establishment. It’s up to him if he’ll allow someone to make a film on him, but it’s a little premature, as he is still on the first over of his life,” says Bhatt, who’s helming a film on slain JNUSU president Chandu.

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While Onir prefers staying away from the subject, he agrees that his contemporaries will jump at the opportunity. “I can see someone like Sudhir (Mishra) making this into a film. If someone can make a good film on it, then what’s the harm. I don’t think I am capable though,” he says.

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As for Dibakar Banerjee, he cares for the issue more as a citizen of India. “We need to understand it. It is way more important than any film and the temporary emotional lift you get from it,” he says.

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