Hansal Mehta has a bunch of luminous films lined up. Be it the Sanjay Gandhi biopic or Kangana Ranaut starrer 'Simran'or 'Aligarh'that is gearing up for post-production, he has a keen interest in films of a certain mettle and character. In an impromptu tete-a-tete, Mehta talks to us about 'Aligarh', the US Supreme Court legalizing gay marriages across the country, the queer perspective and how his actor Manoj Bajpayee and Rajkummar Rao moulded themselves into their challenging roles.

Aligarhis much-anticipated, more so now that the US Supreme Court ruling has connected people back to theme. Do you feel that the film's release will take forward the cause of the Indian LGBT activists towards attaining the same for India?
The US Supreme Court ruling is a case of 'deraaye par durustaaye'. The question is - does any constitution have the right to decide what two consenting adults do in their private spaces? 'Aligarh'makes this case without sensationalizing or overemphasizing sexuality which is none of our business anyway. I am hopeful that'Aligarh'opens up the route to public discourse on our right to privacy and to the fact that in spite of being a democracy we are not really free in all respects. The script by Apurva Asrani makes this case with great empathy and a sense of justice. I am hoping that the qualities that drew me to the script will move audiences and provoke them to examine their own prejudices.

This is your second film with Manoj Bajpayee and the third film with Rajkummar Rao. How has been your experience of working with such talented answers?
This is my 2nd film with Manoj Bajpayee, my 4th film with Apurva Asrani (my writer and editor), my 3rd film with Mandar Kulkarni (our sound designer) and yes, 3rd film with Rajkummar Rao. The point is that intense collaborations with like minded souls make the process of filmmaking very special. My team works like a family and takes great pride in the work we do. Manoj is an actor who inspite of his formidable body of work has yet to show the world that he capable of much more. 'Aligarh'did push him physically and psychologically but what a rare performance he has delivered! Rajkummar is a very special actor and for me he is a very special friend. He has played his role with utmost honesty and has surrendered to the script's needs.