‘Aligarh’ is a portrait of loneliness: Hansal Mehta

Filmmaker Hansal Mehta’s “Aligarh” has hit the theaters today and is based on the real life incident of AMU academician Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras who was suspended from his job as a professor because of his sexual orientation. The movie is a “portrait of loneliness” and being present at the press conference for the film, Mehta told IANS: “We take things too simplistically. Everything is taken in simplistic manner. The truth is, it (the film) is a portrait of loneliness. The loneliness has been imposed upon the man because of society’s invasive tendencies, because society decided to invade his private space.”

He also said that his journey with “Aligarh”, which stars actor Manoj Bajpayee as Siras, has been “wonderful”.

“My journey has been wonderful, the film has been appreciated. People have responded to character, issues it is raising. I hope that when people come to watch the film, they examine their own prejudices,” he added.

This week, the cast of the film was engaged in a novel marketing idea, which saw Mehta and the lead actors, Manoj and Rajkummar Rao, holding the film’s posters on the streets of Mumbai in order to avoid littering.

Mehta says it is “basic civic sense that led us to it”.

“It simplifies the marketing of the film and matching it with our civic responsibility,” he added.

After the release of “Aligarh”, Mehta said he would work on his next film “Simran”, which would star actress Kangana Ranaut.

“I am beginning ‘Simran’ with Kangana soon after she is done shooting for ‘Rangoon’,” he said without divulging any details about the film’s script and Kangana’s role in it.

Ranjini Maitra

Journalist. Writer. Reader. Enthu cutlet. Mood-swing machine. Day dreamer. Sandwiched between ‘live life fully’ and ‘lose some weight’. Mantra of life: Love and love more.