Unconstitutional Ban On ‘Aligarh’: The City Is Homophobic, Says Hansal Mehta

Director Hansal Mehta whose recent release ‘Aligarh’ has been unconstitutionally banned in the namesake city, is irked with the backlash that the Manoj Bajpai and Rajkummar Rao starrer film is facing. The director, who has helmed movies such as City Lights and Shahid amongst others in the past, said in a statement, “The ban is most unexpected. It just proves what the film is saying: that Aligarh is a homophobic city. Also, if as reported, the ruling regime has anything to do with this unofficial ban, then it also shows them in very poor light”.

When asked if he would fight the unlawful ban, Mehta revealed that many cases have already been filed against him which he has to battle out. “That isn’t the only battle I’ve had to fight. Some writ petitions have been filed against me in the Lucknow court. Apparently, the rickshawwallah who was allegedly found making love with Prof Siras and the reporter who entered Prof Siras’s house and found him making love, have filed a criminal case against me. But I am yet to be served any notice regarding this matter”.

About rickshawallah’s objection, Mehta said, “His grouse is that I am defaming him by showing him in a poor light in my film. That he is not a homosexual, and that he has five children and that apparently, Professor Siras forced him to have sex”. He further revealed that the shooting of the film in the city was also criticized and hence the team changed the location overnight to Bareilly. Aligarh has released on February 26. 

Source: pradesh18.com