‘Aligarh’, Hansal Mehta’s movie on Gay AMU Professor, to be screened at London Film Festival

Manoj Bajpai, Aligarh, Hansal Mehta, Gay

Hansal Mehta’s much awaited movie ‘Aligarh’ will be screened at the 59th BFI London Film Festival that will be held between 7-18 October. The movie will play as part of the Festival’s Debate strand: ‘Riveting films that amplify, scrutinise and surprise’.

‘Aligarh’ is based on the life of Dr. Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras, a professor with the Aligarh Muslim University, who was suspended by the university after he was filmed via hidden cameras by students of the university having sex with another man inside his room. The whole incident ended tragically when Dr. Siras was found dead in his room after two months.

(Also Read: A Tribute to Prof Siras)

The movie stars Manoj Bajpai and Rajkummar Rao as the lead actors, with Bajpai playing the role of Dr. Siras, while Rao plays a journalist who comes to Aligarh to investigate the story.

“I am touched and very grateful that BFI has positioned ‘Aligarh’ in such a relevant discussion. I think the recognition that international film festivals are giving us validates our reasons for making this film,” Mehta said in a statement.
“Our programme team found the film to be daring and strong, telling an incredibly important story that London audiences will definitely respond to,” Clare Stewart, BFI London Film Festival Director said.
The film has also been selected for the Busan Film Festival.
Sukhdeep Singh