The characters in our film are fictional: Jitendra Tiwari

It is a love story set against a political backdrop. It has nothing to do with any political party or the political scenario. We have shown how, when certain events or incidents occur, people try to get political mileage out of it. In that sense, it’s a universal story. This is a movie that could have been set anywhere in India, we just happened to set it in
Uttar Pradesh.

So do you feel that people are taking political mileage out of your film, particularly since the UP assembly elections are not too far off?

I suppose it’s a matter of timing. Maybe what we are showing in the film will happen in real life. I won’t say that people are taking political mileage out of this, because everyone has their own stand point, but you can’t say anything simply on the basis of the trailer and without having seen the film. At least wait till you watch the film and then raise any questions you might have.

Is the film based on the Muzaffarnagar riots?

It is to do with riots but not the Muzaffarnagar riots specifically. We have tried to show how during riots it is the humanity of people that suffers the most. After watching the film, viewers should feel that what happened was wrong and that if something like this does happen in real life, they will resist it.

BJP MLA Sangeet Som has alleged that the character played by Jimmy Shergill is based on him.

No, none of the characters are based on any real people. Actually, if you look at them carefully, you will be able to match five to ten percent of any character in any film to actual people. But the characters in our film are entirely fictional and we have not made Shorgul keeping any particular political leader in mind.

You say none of the characters are based on real people, but the publicity material of the film implies otherwise, wherein a picture of Jimmy Shergill’s character is being sent along with a picture of Sangeet Som.

To depict any character realistically and to situate them in a particular context, we need to have some references. That is the only purpose of this.

Were you apprehensive of the film running into trouble?

We certainly never expected anything like this. We had assumed that people would know how to differentiate between entertainment and real life.

Have you organised a special screening for UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav?

We’re trying to see if that can be done. The UP government, down to the district level, has been supportive throughout, even when we were shooting.

Even with these recent controversies, the CM has asked the police to ensure that law and  order is maintained.

What do you have to say about the fatwa that has been issued against Jimmy Shergill?

A fatwa has no constitutional validity, so we have also only heard about this through reports. But the hope is that we will release the film by next Friday. It’s a subject close to my heart and I hope to bring it to people.