Netflix Series On Nirbhaya Case Will Change The System And Conversations Towards Women's Safety; Says Actor Sanjay Bishnoi

Actor Sanjay Bishnoi will be seen in the Netflix series based on the Nirbhaya gang rape. The Webseries premiered at Sundance Festival last January, and will start streaming on Netflix from 22nd March.

Tell us about the series and role.

It's directed by Richie Mehta and it is based on the Nirbhaya tragedy that shook the country in 2012.  The series focuses on 5 days following the incident; it would be showcasing events that took place on the next 5 days. It is based on the original case files. Basically, Richie Mehta is a relative of the then Delhi commissioner Neeraj Kumar who insisted him to make a series on the incident. But Richie wasn't sure when he narrated it. Neeraj suggested him to meet lady officer Vartika Chaturvedi played onscreen by Shefali Shah. Eventually, when they met, he got to know how unequipped our police is when it comes to handling such cases. There is an outrage of course! That's how it should be, but at the same time, there are so many things about our system we don't know. I'm playing the character of Akash, a friend of the victim – the guy who is the only witness in the case.

What do you feel about working on a real crime based series?

This is that one case, which disturbed everyone and I'm sure we all wanted to do something about it in our own capacity. So when I was offered the role, I did not have a choice. It is anyway my first commercial film. When Mukesh Chabra gave me the script and I was about to audition for it, I read it and I could relate to every line in the script. Like, what must have happened with these two at 8 o'clock in a cold night in Delhi, how helpless they were when these six goons attacked them. So, it was very disturbing and extremely painful to go through with that feeling even during the 2-3 months of shooting. Someone actually went through this and even though I just had to imagine it, it seemed so difficult. I hope this story reaches people, it changes the people, it changes the system and conversation about women's safety.

How were you approached for your role?

The entire credit goes to Mukesh Chabra, he asked me to audition for the project. I got the script and I went through it. Maybe they had a word with Richie and it escalated into something and I was on board.

Do you think is there a change that took place in India after that incident or is it the same. How will people connect with the incident and your role?

As far as change is concerned after this incident, I definitely see people have become more sensitive and are willing to do something about it. Because of that, Richie spent 6 years and made this project. I mean it is a long time, if that propelled him and that motivated him to make a series with such honesty then surely, there is a change. But is it enough? I don't think so! A lot needs to be changed - the mindset, patriarchy, the attitude towards women, the policing around them and how we perceive and give space to women in a political set up and even in the education system. We went to the Sundance Film Festival with this, I saw the reaction in the U.S. and we had a houseful screening. People were engaged and wanted to know about the incident. Response was great. You just have to realize that how inhuman was that.  It's not just a rape case it's much more than that. That's why it reached that far. I really hope series and initiative like this is discussed and reaches far so that it can bring about a change. As far as my role is concerned, I tried to be as empathetic and honest as possible. It is not easy to be normal. I read somewhere the boy said- ‘Every night I think about the incident and ways I could have done it differently, ' which constantly haunts. I mean we are angry about something and what are we doing? On that front this story will do a lot.

What are your upcoming projects?

I have done a feature film "Ashok Vatika” directed by Rahul Mallick. The film is completed and has been screened at the Goa Film Bazaar. Now, we are looking for festivals and distribution options. The entire film was shot in Benaras and deals with story of a young widow in Benaras. It talks about her struggle to find companionship and about her sexual desires.