/> Ram Gopal Varma replies to all the charges being levelled against his 26/11 Film

The Samajwadi Youth Party (SYP) is not pleased with your decision to make a 26/11 film. Your comments?
I really think it has become fashionable for political and other parties to protest against any controversial film without knowing what the film is about. If they were sincere about their protest I'd at least expect them to sit for a dialogue with me on what my intentions are in making a film on the 26/11 attack.

What are your intentions?
That incident was the most horrific crime against humanity committed in post-independence India. Aspects of the horror moved me as a filmmaker. Whether it was the plight of the victims or the amazing heroism of the cops, or for that matter the inhumanity of the perpetrators.... all these aspects of the 26/11 incident deserve to be documented in a cinematic form for posterity.


How much research have you undertaken?
My film is based on authentic police records and eyewitness accounts. I am not suggesting any wild conspiracy theories. Let me also make it very clear that my film concentrates on the emotional aspects of the incident and is not going to target any religion or community.

Fair enough. Why don't you explain these arguments to the protestors?
Do they want to listen to me? I think political parties in our country keep jumping at the slightest pretext because that's the quickest and easiest way to get publicity.

The SYP claims you were shooting without permission on actual locations. Is this true?
We've taken all the required permission. That apart everyone is going out of their way to co-operate with us because I shared details with the people concerned on what the film is about and why I am making it. In fact they closed down Leopold Cafe where the first attack happened, for three days to facilitate our shooting.


They also claim you had promised not to make a film about the terror attacks. Did you make any such promise?
I never said I've no intentions of making a film on 26/11. The accusation against me was, I'd cast Riteish Deshmukh in exchange of my visit to the Taj hotel which the late Vilasrao Deshmukhji facilitated for his son to be cast in my film. This was complete hogwash. Yeah, I did visit the Taj. But what could I have possibly seen which the media hadn't shown the whole world?

When did you resolve to make a film on 26/11?
I waited for the entire investigation to be completed. Only then I started my research and scripting.