Hansal Mehta recalls how the 2022 film 'Faraj' was banned in Bangladesh amid the current crisis and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation.

Hansal Mehta talks about the dangers faced while shooting for his film 2022 Faraj, which is still banned in Bangladesh because of the alleged 'bad light' portrayal of the authorities. The film was based on a terrorist attack in Dhaka. Mehta, who frequently uses social media to express his views on various topics, wrote a long post on X (formerly known as Twitter) after seeing the developments in Bangladesh.

After widespread protests that included flooding of the capital's streets and unprecedented scenes of crowds vandalizing a statue of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Sheikh Hasina resigned as paramount leader and fled the country. The 76-year-old daughter of Bangladesh's founder was described by Hansal Mehta as a 'very authoritarian leader' who was terrified of any criticism directed at her.

Mehta said, “Looking at the events in Bangladesh, I remember the Faraj release saga. It is streaming globally on Netflix except in Bangladesh where it is banned.” He was met by the then very cordial Bangladesh High Commissioner, but was repeatedly approached and/or threatened by people claiming to be from the Indian 'Cabinet Secretariat' to inform him that the film would strain India's relations with Bangladesh.

He added, “I have received many calls from high-ranking police officers, alleged secret service agents, I have been given police protection due to perceived threats from terrorist organizations, lengthy trials in Indian courts, many have made indecent allegations. This is your story. No', I am still facing a bogus case in a Bangladeshi court….”

Seeing the events in Bangladesh reminds me of Faraj's release saga. It is streaming globally on Netflix except in Bangladesh where it is banned.

The release of 'Faraj', based on the 2016 Dhaka attack's Holy Artisan Bakery, was almost halted… pic.twitter.com/dQIP9pF9P1

— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) 5 August 2024

“All this to stop the screening of a film which clearly shows Sheikh Hasina's government and machinery in bad light. It was a government that wanted no one outside Bangladesh to know that they were simply incompetent and run by a highly authoritarian leader who feared any criticism of himself. They wanted to hide their bloody hands by shutting down our voice and mirror of our times, cautionary tales for our youth, stories critical of authoritarian governments and majority states,” he added.

In his closing speech, the director hoped that the people of Bangladesh would get justice.

About Hansal Mehta's movie 'Faraj'

Amid the current turmoil in Bangladesh and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation, the director recalled the national ban on his 2022 film. Actor Jahan Kapoor made his acting debut with Hansal Mehta's film Farajwhich is based on the 2016 terror incident in Bangladesh and features actor Paresh Rawal's son Aditya Rawal in the lead role.