Why Mohit Suri changed Riya’s backstory in film adaptation of Half Girlfriend

Mohit made a major change in the story of Half Girlfriend - while Chetan’s Riya (Shraddha Kapoor in the film) was sexually abused by her father in childhood, Mohit decided to do away with that bit in the onscreen version.

Chetan Bhagat and Mohit Suri announced they would make a film on the former’s book, much before its launch. Titled Half Girlfriend, the film stars Shraddha Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor in lead roles and the first motion poster was released online on Tuesday.

Director Mohit Suri has made changes to Riya’s back story in the film adaptation of Chetan Bhagat’s Half Girlfriend.

Shraddha Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor on the popster of Half Girlfriend.

However, it is now revealed that Mohit made a major change in the story - while lead character Riya was sexually abused by her father in childhood in the book, Mohit decided to do away with that bit in the onscreen version. The director told DNA, “While Riya has some dark family secrets, they are not related to sexual abuse. I have moved out of that dark, sexual zone completely. I wanted it to be more of a love story and to deal with contemporary social issues relatable to women.”

Mohit reportedly made the change because of his daughter Devi. “Maybe it’s because I have a daughter of my own today and experiencing fatherhood has wrought that change to be more socially conscious. My daughter can make me proud someday. When I see her, I feel so happy. Why can’t daughters take their family name ahead?,” he further said.

He also said that Chetan had no issues with the changes: “The minute Chetan gave me the book, I asked him if he wanted to be a part of the screenplay, but he refused saying he was too closely connected to it. While he was creatively involved with the script, he never fought over the changes we made.”

Arjun Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor star opposite each other for the first time in this romantic story. Directed by Mohit Suri, produced by Balaji Motion Pictures, Mohit Suri and Chetan Bhagat, Half Girlfriend releases on 19th May.

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