Mulk is an imperative film in today’s turbulent times, say makers

From fighting trolls online and making headlines on news hour debates to launching a nation-wide survey, filmmaker Anubhav Sinha is gearing for the release of his courtroom drama '

Mulk

' this Friday. Backed by a robust storyline and an ensemble cast, the film, produced by Soham Rockstar Entertainment and Benaras Media Works, deals with

Islamophobia

. Pegged as a commercial film that doesn’t have the usual trappings of mainstream cinema, 'Mulk' delivers a though-provoking narrative on extremist socio-political behaviour and how lack of literacy has damaged the social fabric of the nation.

Writer-director Anubhav Sinha states, “It is an imperative film for the turbulent times we live in. What inspired me is that I am familiar with both sides of the story. Hindu-Muslim riots were an annual event from the mid-1970s to mid-1980s. I was in Benaras then and belonged to the majority. Thereafter, I went to Aligarh Muslim University to study engineering, but this time I was a minority. I have seen the divide between both the sides and have a take on it, which I put together for 'Mulk' using cinematic liberties. I have always had this impression that a majority of people do not want a confrontation. Everything that you are concerned about as a Muslim and everything that I am concerned about as a Hindu, I have tried to touch upon.”

Deepak Mukut, who is producing the film, adds, “With this film, Anubhav questions polarities and communities and our premise is that no politician or government can eliminate the deep distrust in our society, until each of us changes individually.”

Inspired by certain news headlines over the years, where a Muslim family is trying to reclaim its honour, the film stars Rishi Kapoor, Taapsee Pannu, Prateik Babbar, Manoj Pahwa, Neena Gupta, Rajat Kapoor, Ashutosh Rana, Prachee Shah Paandya in pivotal roles.

'Mulk' releases on August 3.