• By Swati Singh
  • Thu, 11 May 2023 11:50 AM (IST)
  • Source:JND

Manoj Bajpayee is currently gearing up for the release of his forthcoming much-anticipated movie Bandaa. On Monday, the makers unveiled the much-anticipated trailer of Bandaa in which Bajpayee is seen playing the role of a role who takes on a powerful Godman for a rape case of a minor girl. Soon after the trailer went viral on social media, netizens speculated if the movie is based on the life of Asaram Bapu, who has been convicted of raping a Surat-based woman at an ashram in Gujarat in 2013.

However, moments after the trailer was unveiled, Asaram Bapu sued the makers of Bandaa through his charitable trust. The self-styled Godman asked the courts to issue prohibitory orders against the promotion and release of the film. Now, actor Manoj Bajpayee, who will be seen playing the role of a lawyer in Bandaa, opened up about the same.

ALSO READ: Asaram Bapu Sues Makers Of Manoj Bajpayee's 'Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai', Producer Says, 'We Can't Stop It...'

In a conversation with IndiaToday.in, Bajpayee said, "The thing is there has been a court verdict on this case. There has been a judgement and punishment which was decided by the High Court. There is nothing above the law and the court. So, once that is proved in the court of law, how can we be responsible for telling the story? We have only filmed it. We only made a film on it. There is no change from our side."

He further noted, "There are a few incidents that we have taken from outside as well, for example, names have been altered, except for PC Solanki’s name which is retained in the film because he agreed to it. But the rest is fictional. All the names other than that are fictional as we refrained from using original names."

The Family Man actor said that the aim is to send the message behind this film is sent loud and clear. He went on to state, "We have taken inspiration from a few true incidents we have taken inspiration so that the message is clear. At the centre of it, there is a minor girl, and we are talking about her safety and security."

"The intention is right. On top of that, we wanted to make a great film so that the message doesn’t get lost or wasted. If it is a bad film, then we lose that chance and that we were very careful about," said Bajpayee.

Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai aka Bandaa will be released on OTT platform Zee5 on May 23.