13th May2023, Mumbai: Bollywood actor Manoj Bajpayee has responded to the legal notice sent by Asaram Bapu’s charitable trust against him and the makers of his upcoming movie ‘Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai.’ The courtroom drama depicts the story of a minor girl who was sexually harassed by a powerful self-proclaimed Godman. The movie is said to be based on a real-life incident that had garnered widespread media attention.
Asaram Bapu, who is currently serving a life sentence for the rape of a minor, has claimed that the film has damaged his reputation and good name. However, Manoj Bajpayee argued that the case is already in the public domain, and the verdict is out. He expressed that they have to be truthful to all those incidents that have happened, and in the movie, the most important thing is how well they treat the victim.
The 54-year-old actor emphasised that people need to be sensitive to the victim, who had gathered the courage to fight for over five years, giving testimonies and evidence to re-tell her side of the story without fearing humiliation or for her life. He also stressed the importance of being sensitive towards the actress and the character she plays, who is only 15-16 years old but had given a remarkable performance.
“We have made a good film. I just want the audience to watch the film. I am very confident that they are going to fall in love with this,” Manoj Bajpayee said, concluding his statement.
The legal notice sent by Asaram Bapu’s charitable trust has raised questions about the freedom of expression and the right to tell stories that are based on real-life incidents. Many filmmakers have faced similar legal challenges in the past for portraying controversial figures and events. However, Manoj Bajpayee’s response highlights the importance of treating such stories with sensitivity and respect towards the victims.
Manoj Bajpayee is known for his versatile roles and has gained critical acclaim for his performances in movies like ‘Satya,’ ‘Gangs of Wasseypur,’ and ‘Aligarh.’ He was last seen in the Rahul V Chittella directorial ‘Gulmohar,’ which is streaming on Disney+ Hotstar. Apart from ‘Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai,’ he has other projects in his pipeline, including Kanu Bahl’s ‘Despatch’ and the third season of Raj and DK’s web-series ‘The Family Man.’
By: Tanya Chantola