BOMBAY TIMES (November 11, 2019)

After backing films like Munna Michael (2007), Table No. 21 (2013) R…Rajkumar (2013) and Phobia (2016), producer Viki Rajani has signed writer-director Manish Gupta to direct two suspense films based on true events. Manish, who had recently written the story, screenplay and dialogues of Section 375, said, “Viki is a dynamic and visionary producer who has an interesting slate of high content films lined up. Both my films with Viki will create two franchises; one is a murder mystery franchise, while the other is a legal drama franchise.”

Viki added, “I was impressed with Manish’s work in Section 375. I recalled that he had previously written the story, screenplay and dialogues for the Amitabh-Bachchan-starrer Sarkar (2005). When I saw Rahasya that was based on the Aarushi Talwar murder case, which was directed by Manish, I realised that he is has a good hold over the suspense genre. So, I decided to back his vision. I’ve just launched my banner Faith Films P L, through which I’m tying up with various studios and distribution houses. Manish’s films will hit the floors in a couple of months.”

Petitions and protests against films may be commonplace now, but filmmakers haven’t lost faith in the judiciary
Anirban Das (MID-DAY; March 4, 2016)

Bollywood films are primarily meant to entertain audiences, but at times, they tend to draw the ire of certain individuals/organisations over sensitive or sensational content. Almost every other month, we see protests and petitions against films — so much so that it seems like a fad now.

The latest Bollywood project to have invited trouble is Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Raees, which is said to be inspired by alleged gangster Abdul Latif, who had an illicit liquor trade in Gujarat during the peak of Prohibition in the 1990s. Latif’s son, Mustak Ahmed Abdul Latif Sheikh has sent legal notices to SRK, his co-star Nawazuddin Siddiqui, director Rahul Dholakia, producer Ritesh Sidhwani and five other prominent persons involved with the project, restraining them from “screening, promoting, releasing, publicising, advertising and exploiting the Hindi film.”

Agenda of extortion
Rahasya director Manish Gupta sees the surge in complaints against Hindi films as an agenda of extortion. “Rarely are the concerns raised by individuals and organisations valid. Filmmakers pump in huge amounts of money to make and promote a film, but such petitions and protests jeopardise it. Court cases drag on for long and that affects the release and thereafter, the box office business. But there have been instances of producers giving in to the protestor’s demands because they have no other option. They sometimes opt for a quick settlement to facilitate a proper release for their projects,” he adds.

Recalling his fight at the Bombay High Court last year for the release of his film based on the 2008 Noida double murder after the parents of slain teenager Arushi Talwar objected to it, Gupta says, “Eventually, I won the case and released my film. But I had to fight for 11 months. After the court gave us clearance, we got only three days to promote the film. So, obviously, we could not make it as successful as it should have been,” says Gupta.

Torturous and tiring
While the business gets affected, it also causes mental stress to filmmakers. Ask Sanjay Leela Bhnasali, whose dream project Bajirao Mastani faced “distortion of history allegations, says, “To have almost five to six cases lodged against you for almost 15 days is traumatic and stressful. It could be for various reasons, which didn’t seem correct. But, thank god for the fact that nothing stopped us. People wanted Bajirao’s story to be told. A PIL can be filed even if a few people want to go against you, or want the film to be stopped from hitting theatre. Or maybe, they just want to get noticed. It could be arm twisting.”

Sigh of relief
While numerous PILs and cases against several Bollywood films have come forth in the recent past, filmmakers haven’t lost faith in the judiciary. “The courts are now quite understanding,” says Hansal Mehta, whose critically acclaimed film Aligarh could not release in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh despite not facing a legal ban. Millat Bedari Muhim Committee objected to its entry into theatres claiming that the film sullies the reputation of the city. Aligarh is based on Professor Ramchandra Siras who was suspended from Aligarh Muslim University after he was filmed having consensual sex with a man. “They do not stall the release of a film unless the case has been filed well in advance. Earlier, a film used to get a stay just a few days before it hit the marquee. So, it had kind of become a racket to extort money from filmmakers. That has been kept in check now,” explains Mehta.

Bhansali, too, is glad about the courts rejecting petitions that are filed just for the sake of creating a hue and cry. “Many PILs against Bajirao Mastani were thrown out the minute they were heard.”

BOMBAY TIMES (March 8, 2015)

Makers of Aarushi Talwar murder case-inspired whodunit, 'Talvar', are said to be reworking the film's script due to apparent similarities with the recently released 'Rahasya', which is based on the same subject
Sonali Joshi Pitale (MID-DAY; February 13, 2015)

If sources are to be believed, Meghna Gulzar is making a few changes to her upcoming film 'Talvar' inspired by the Aarushi Talwar murder case. Reason? The filmmaker apparently wants to avoid any kind of similarities with Manish Gupta's 'Rahasya', which hit the marquee two weeks ago and was loosely based on the same incident.

A source says, "Post Rahasya's release, the makers of 'Talvar' are wary of repetition. Though their film is more or less narrated from the point of view of Aarushi's parents, who have been convicted for the murder, they are considering incorporating a few changes in the film."

Written by Vishal Bhardwaj, the film stars Irrfan, Konkona Sen Sharma and Tabu in a special appearance. It is slated to release on October 2. A source close to the Talvar project says, "The film's shoot has been wrapped up and received a green signal from the Talwars. It will have a completely different take on the incident with an exciting climax. There is no similarity between the two films."

The director says the film's edit is locked. "There is no question of making any changes. We always knew the film we wanted to make and that there were other films being made, announced and even completed before we began filming in June 2014.

When we didn't bother about 'Rahasya' then, why would we do so now? Everyone is proud and happy with the way our film has turned out. Thankfully, two years of research and a year's writing has paid off. Most importantly, this is a fictional dramatisation of an investigation of a real-life case, not a biopic. Hence, there is no question of book rights or any money changing hands," Meghna states.

3 MODERATE RELEASES THIS FRIDAY

After the big clash last week, this Friday would see the release of 3 medium-budget films. An analysis on these movies:

KHAMOSHIYAN: It is produced by Mahesh and Mukesh Bhatt and marks the directorial debut of director Karan Darra and TV star Gurmeet Choudhary and Sapna Pabbi of 24 fame. Ali Fazal too features in the film. The trailer of the film is alright but the songs are absolutely melodious. And it has caught on big time and because of that, there is hype for the film. Also, it has erotic and horror content which always have been big crowd pulling factors especially when associated with hit music. Also, the costs are reasonable. Khamoshiyan can have the best opening this week although the competition from last week’s release Baby can affect its prospects at certain urban areas.

HAWAIZAADA: This film rests on an interesting tale of Shivkar Talpade, who flew the first aircraft 8 years before the Wright Brothers. Not much information is available on this man and hence, almost 90% of the film is fiction. Ayushmann Khurrana plays the leading role and Mithun Chakraborty and Pallavi Sharda too feature in the film. It is directed by debutant Vibhu Puri, who has assisted Sanjay Leela Bhansali and who was to make Chenab Gandhi at one point. The film looks fascinating, visually appealing and Ayushmann seems to have done a fine job. Songs sadly haven’t worked. Also, it doesn’t look exciting enough and isn’t a typical entertainer of sorts. Moreover, the film is almost 158 minutes long. Excitement for the film is very less and it seems that it’ll have a tough time at the box office.

RAHASYA: It stars Kay Kay Menon, Tisca Chopra, Ashish Vidyarthi and is directed by Manish Gupta. It is inspired from Aarushi Talwar Murder Case but real names haven’t used. In fact, the Talwars had objected to this film and even slapped a case on the makers. But the Bombay High Court squashed the case. The trailer looks interesting but the promotions have been negligible. Many don’t even know that it’s releasing. Sadly, it’ll vanish without a trace.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE KHAMOSHIYAN, HAWAIZAADA OR RASHYA? DO LET ME KNOW!
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BABY ROCKS BUT UNDERPERFORMS!

The Akshay Kumar-starrer Baby has been loved by the audiences. It is long and devoid of so-called typical entertainment. Yet it works big time and its climax is just terrific. However, it’s shocking that Baby hasn’t really attracted audiences in hordes. In certain pockets, it has worked but in places like Bihar and Rajasthan, the collections are poor.

It is bewildering that a film like Baby hasn’t found success. It is the most appreciated Akshay film in years and I am talking of audiences, not critics. Sadly, India is a diverse country and what works in Mumbai might not work in Bihar. Maybe because it’s not a typical entertainer with songs, music, comedy, many didn’t venture to see the film. Moreover, the costs of Baby are high and it seems that it might not be able to achieve commercial success. Very unfortunate!

Sakshi Sem (right) will play Aarushi Talwar (left) in Rahasya

Bharati Dubey (MID-DAY; January 28, 2015)

Director Manish Gupta is a relieved man. Decks have been cleared for the release of his upcoming thriller Rahasya that had met with resistance from the parents of Aarushi Talwar, a Noida teenager, whose murder in May 2008 remains a mystery till date.

The Talwars had blocked the release alleging the film is based on the life of their slain daughter and was unfit for public screening with the case being sub judice. While distributors called it off, the promos and publicity of the film were also withdrawn.

However, Gupta heaved a sigh of relief when the Bombay High Court cleared it during a hearing yesterday. Gupta tells hitlist , “I have spent an entire year fighting this case. I was unable to write or start any other film. The loss to my producer and distributors Viacom 18 has run into crores. But now, Justice V. M. Kanade has ruled Rahasya’s story does not depict the facts of Aarushi’s murder mystery and there is no case made out for a stay or any ad interim relief on the film. As planned, we will release it this Friday.”

In February last year, Aarushi’s mother Nupur had filed a petition in the High Court against Rahasya producer Monica Vimal Maluka demanding a stay on the film’s release and the quashing of its censor certificate. On their part, the makers clarified that Rahasya is a fictitious murder mystery and does not bear any semblance to any person living or dead. As per the Talwars’ request, a special screening of the film was organised but they insisted that there was a similarity to Aarushi’s murder case and continued to demand a stay on the film. In September last year, the court had allowed the producers to go ahead with the publicity, but with a disclaimer.

Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 14, 2014)

The Bombay High Court recently stayed the release of Rahasya, the Manish Gupta film reportedly based on the Aarushi Talwar murder case. The ruling came after Nupur and Rajesh Talwar, the slain teenager's parents and the main accused in the case, claimed that the film is based on "distorted facts".

Vandana Talwar, the aunt of the Delhi teenager who watched the film on behalf of the jailed parents, both currently lodged in Dasna jail, Ghaziabad, stated that the film "has several similarities with the real case".

Neha Mehta, the Talwars' counsel says, "We have seen the film and the many resemblances might hamper someone's right (read Talwars) to a fair trial."

And what exactly is the semblance between the two? Though Mehta refused to divulge the details, Mirror has the details of the offending similarities.

One, the parents of the murdered girl in the film too are doctors. Two, just like in real life, the girl is murdered along with her servant.

But a source in the film's crew told this newspaper that in the film the parents are surgeons and not dentists like the Talwars.

Team Rahasya also points out that their central girl character is shown as a 19-year old girl unlike Aarushi who was 14 at the time of her murder and importantly, their film does not end with the parents being held guilty by a court. The killer in the film is the girl's stepmother.

Plus the film depicts the servant as a 22-year old unlike Hemraj who was 45. Moreover the reel servant's body is found after a month unlike Hemraj's which was found a day after Aarushi's body.

But added another source, "Manish has just made minor tweaks to keep his film within the realm of fiction. But even the trial proceedings shown in the film resemble the developments which took place in the murder trial."

The Talwars are not convinced with these 'smart' tweaks as the father is depicted as a prime suspect throughout and they claim that this might lead to a public perception in the people's mind that Rajesh Talwar is guilty.

The next hearing in the petition filed by the family is to be held on said June 13 but Vandana told Mirror rather emphatically, "We don't want Rahasya to see the light of day until the matter is disposed completely." 

Rachana Dubey (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 11, 2014)

Manish Gupta had heaved a sigh of relief when the Indian Board of Film Certification filed an affidavit stating that there are no similarities between his movie Rahasya and the Aarushi murder case. But the respite was short lived as after watching a preview of the film, the Talwar family has decided to continue their legal effort to stall the film’s release.

“We are definitely challenging the Censor Board’s claims,” says Vandana Talwar, dentist Rajesh Talwar’s sister who watched the film Rahasya on behalf of her brother and sister-in-law Nupur, who are serving a life sentence in the double murder of their daughter Aarushi and help Hemraj.

“I can’t state which scenes have affirmed this decision because of an affidavit that I signed, which bars me from revealing any details but we are taking this case forward,” she told Mirror.

The case is up for hearing again in the Bombay High Court on April 17. The Talwars had approached the Court to stall the release of the movie produced by UVI Films Production Ltd, on the grounds that it is based on “distorted facts” surrounding the death of Aarushi.

After the Censor Board filed an affidavit stating that there are no similarities between the movie and the murder, the couple sought a screening for a family member.

Talwars’ advocate Anushak Davar has pointed out to a division bench that there were “over 100 similarities” between the movie’s story and the case.

Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 10, 2014)

Nupur and Rajesh Talwar, who were sentenced to life imprisonment in November 2013 by a UP court for the 2008 murder of their teenage daughter Aarushi and domestic help Hemraj, have approached the Bombay High Court seeking a stay on the release of Manish Gupta’s Rahasya. The Talwars in their petition claimed that the movie is based on “distorted facts surrounding the gruesome death” of their daughter.

This has put a question mark on the future of the film and Sakshi Sem, the child actor of Darna Zaroori Hai and Raju Chacha, who is playing the lead. Defending the film, 19-year old Sakshi told Mirror, “Rahasya is not based on the Aarushi murder case per se. So, I don’t understand the Talwars' objection to the film. It doesn’t end with Kay Kay, who plays my father, being convicted for the murder. The actress playing my mother is not an accused.”

On February 17, the Talwars sent a legal notice to Gupta and UVI Films Production Ltd asking for a private screening. When they didn’t respond, the Talwars filed a petition in the High Court. They have also challenged the Central Board of Film Certification for clearing the film.

Bharati Dubey & Kripa Krishnan (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 3, 2013)

Hers was a murder which inspired a thousand theories and five years after her death Aarushi Talwar continues to be a sordid muse for the film and publishing world.

But a recent announcement by the Talwar’s lawyer Manish Sisodia, stating that, “anyone taking up such a venture without their consent will face legal action” has rattled many a plan.

Director Manish Gupta who has said in many previous interviews that his film Rahasya is an account of the double murder of Aarushi and her family’s manservant Hemraj, is now singing a different tune. The director has done a volte face now and says, “My film is a work of fiction. The Talwars need not worry at all about my film Rahasya because the film's plot is fictitious. It revolves around a CBI officer investigating the murder of an eighteen-year old girl whose father is the prime suspect. But the mother in my film is not a suspect at all. I have not used any real names in the film. Infact the murdered girl's name in my film is Ayesha Mahajan,” Manish told Mirror.

Earlier Milan Luthria had aborted a project on the episode, after a Ghaziabad court found the Talwars guilty in the double murder. He had excused himself saying that he did not “want to trivialise the matter. I’d rather let it be.”

Avirook Sen, whose coverage of the Aarushi-Hemraj trial for Mumbai Mirror won widespread praise, is now penning a “honest non-fiction book” on the subject. And Sen is sure of getting a go-ahead from the Talwars.“I am confident that there will be no legal hurdles to the book's publication,” said the author.

On Friday, a film director Clip F. Runyard had reportedly tried to meet the Talwars at Dasna Jail to seek their consent to make a film and write a book on Aarushi. He was turned away, despite offering royalty of Rs 5 crores to the couple.

Parag Maniar (BOMBAY TIMES; December 3, 2013)

Reports have it that the incarcerated dentist couple Rajesh and Nupur Talwar’s lawyer, Manoj Sisodia, said that legal action would be taken against anyone who attempts a film or a book on their daughter Aarushi’s murder. Reacting to this news, director Manish Gupta — whose latest offering Rahasya is speculated to be based on the Aarushi-Hemraj murders — says, “My film’s story is about a senior investigator probing the murder of a young girl whose father is accused of the heinous crime. It is just that parallels have been drawn between the case and my film, but I never said it was based on it.”