Hansal Mehta garnered critical acclaim for his recently released film Faraaz. Headlined by Aditya Rawal and Zahan Kapoor, the film was based on a real-life incident that took place in Dhaka in 2016. Faraaz was released on limited screens across India.

In an exclusive interview with PeepingMoon, Hansal spoke about choosing the Dhaka cafe attack as his subject for the film, choosing Aditya and Zahan for Faraaz and balancing the thin line between jingoism and spreading the right message. The filmmaker further confirmed directing Pratik Gandhi and Rajpal Yadav in a satire.

Excerpts from the interview:

Why did you particularly choose the Dhaka cafe attack as your subject?

I was inspired by the story. The terrorists and Faraaz were of the same age and I saw a story about young people with clashing ideologies. Stories revolving around youngsters are either about honour killing or rom-coms. I saw potential in telling a story about young people using this event as a basis to explore young minds.  

Were Aditya Rawal & Zahan Kapoor your first choices for Faraaz?

Yes, Zahan’s father was my landlord in Juhu. I met him in the lift and he was a shy person back then. I liked his shyness. I went back to my office and asked Bhatt sahab to talk to his father, who then asked me to speak to Zahan directly. When he came to meet me, I knew he was the right person. He had the innocence and charm the character required.

Did you take creative liberty to build the world of Faraaz?

You always take an event and dramatize it. Whatever dramatization we could do within legal boundaries, we did that. We also used names where we were allowed to.  

Faraaz says a dialogue that communicates the fact that Islam doesn't promote terrorism and people should stop calling themselves messengers of God. Did you fear criticism over it?

I wasn't worried at all because that wasn't the intention. It is not jingoistic and somewhere the intention communicates. In fact, people have told us it is so right.

There’s a thin line between jingoism and spreading the right message. How do you balance it?

I don’t do either. I tell a story with utmost honesty in a way that’s not judgemental. I put the story and present the characters to the audience. As an audience, you respond to it. I don’t decide who’s right or wrong.

Did you ever consider releasing Faraaz on OTT?

It will eventually happen. Initially, we did want to release it on the OTT but when we saw the film on the big screen, we felt it deserved that experience even if it is to a limited audience.

Is it easier to tell real-life stories than fictional ones?

I don’t think anything is easy or difficult. I tell stories that come from the heart. I tell all kinds of stories.

Do you agree with censorship?

It is unnecessary. It has no place in a democracy. At the most what you need is certification. Films are certified for the right age groups. We, filmmakers, are enough to self-certify.

Should CBFC give more freedom to filmmakers now?

The CBFC is laid by a very old Cinematograph Act of 1952. They have to follow that. It is time that they relook at the act and there are committees set up in case they wish to reform it.

You prefer making darker films than light-hearted ones. Can we see you directing an easy-breezy fun project?

I make films that satisfy my heart. Recently, I did a film for Anubhav Sinha and it is a part of an anthology. It is a 55 minutes film which is a satire and light-hearted film. It has Pratik Gandhi and Rajpal Yadav.

It isn’t easy being a vocal filmmaker…

I don’t think it is difficult to be vocal. We hold back whatever we wish to say because of our own fears.

Do you believe society has forgotten the concept of humanity over religion?

I cannot be judgemental about society. This is something that has a longer discourse.