“Aligarh” is a 2015 Indian biographical drama film directed by Hansal Mehta and written by Apurva Asrani. The film stars Manoj Bajpayee in the lead role as Professor Ramchandra Siras, a gay professor at Aligarh Muslim University who was suspended from his job on charges of homosexuality. The film deals with themes of prejudice, discrimination, and human rights violations.
The movie is based on a true story, where Professor Siras, a Marathi professor at Aligarh Muslim University, is filmed by a group of journalists while engaging in consensual homosexual activity in his apartment. The incident leads to his suspension from the university and a legal battle to regain his job and dignity.
“Aligarh” received critical acclaim for its sensitive portrayal of a complex and controversial subject. Manoj Bajpayee's performance was particularly praised, earning him several awards and nominations, including a National Film Award for Best Actor. The film also won several awards, including Best Film at the Mumbai Film Festival and the Jury Prize at the 19th Busan International Film Festival.
Overall, “Aligarh” is a poignant and thought-provoking film that highlights the importance of respecting individual rights and dignity, regardless of sexual orientation. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in social justice and human rights issues.
| Directed by | Hansal Mehta |
|---|---|
| Produced by | Sunil Lulla Shailesh R Singh Sandip Ssingh |
| Written by | Apurva Asrani |
| Screenplay by | Apurva Asrani |
| Story by | Apurva Asrani Ishani Banerjee |
| Starring | Manoj Bajpayee, Rajkummar Rao, Ashish Vidyarthi, |
| Music by | Karan Kulkarni |
| Cinematography | Satya Rai Nagpaul |
| Edited by | Apurva Asrani |
| Production companies |
Eros Entertainment Karma Pictures |
| Release date | 4 October 2015 (Busan) 26 February 2016 (India) |
| Running time | 114 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Languages | Hindi Urdu |
| Budget | ₹11 crore |
| Box office | ₹4.27 crore |