Om Puri to play Naxal leader inspired by Kobad Ghandy

Om Purihas played numerous characters with social significance. The actor is now gearing up to play a Naxalite in an upcoming film, Riflegung: Jahan Kheton Mein Ugti Hain Goliyan, directed by debutant Manoj Jha who has earlier assisted director Shekhar Kapoor on Bandit Queen.

Over the years, actor Om Purihas played numerous characters with social significance. He has often reiterated that films with a message interest him a lot. The actor is now gearing up to play a Naxalite in an upcoming film, Riflegung: Jahan Kheton Mein Ugti Hain Goliyan, directed by debutant Manoj Jha who has earlier assisted director Shekhar Kapoor on Bandit Queen.

When contacted, Puri said that it is a very interesting film that is along the lines of what communist and Maoist- Naxalite leader Kobad Ghandy did with his wife Anuradha Shanbag. “I am not sure if the makers wrote it with him in mind, but when I read the script I knew it’s going to bring alive the protest that the couple had taken up,” says Puri, who though doesn’t support Naxalism, has immense respect for the real-life couple. “They are very educated people.” he says.

The actor, who earlier received accolades for his intense performance in the film, Chakravyuh, again based on Gandhy, says that it is going to be along the same lines but will cover other aspects of Naxalism as well. While Puri said that he is not aware of the other actors roped in for the film, the makers confirmed that Tamil and Telugu actor Madhulagna Das and Telugu actor Diksha Pant are also part of the project.