Vineet Kumar asserts that a film like Siya, though disturbing, is also necessary in today’s times. With the drama, debutant director Manish Mundra takes an unflinching look at the trauma that rape survivors endure, and questions the indifference with which the law enforcement agencies treat the cases. Kumar plays a lawyer Mahender who supports the titular character — essayed by Pooja Pandey — as she seeks justice against the perpetrators.

“Mahender is not related to Siya’s family. When her family tells her to be quiet about [the crime], Mahender stands up for her. That fascinated me,” begins the actor.

In the past, Mundra has produced gems that include Masaan (2015) and Newton (2017). Kumar is proud that in his first offering as a director, Mundra compels the audience to face the uncomfortable truth about society.

“If you want to watch an item number, please skip our film. But if you want to watch a truthful film that will show what our society is, watch Siya. [There are rape cases] in every state of India. We follow the news for a few weeks and then forget about it. But this is a life-long trauma for the family. Unfortunately, when such an incident happens, the survivor is often asked to keep quiet about it. Our society’s perspective needs to change,” he says, adding that our country needs more voices like Mahender’s.

“This film aims to give courage to people to fight for justice, to be heard. Things won’t change overnight, but people in positions of power — be it in the police department or in the medical field — will understand the impact [of the crime] on the survivor and her family better.”