It
has
been
four
years
since
SECTION
375'
hit
the
theatres,
a
thought-provoking
film
that
left
an
indelible
mark
on
the
minds
of
audiences
across
the
nation.
As
the
film
celebrates
its
fourth
anniversary,
story,
screenplay
and
dialogue
writer
of
the
film
Manish
Gupta
takes
us
into
a
journey
of
the
film's
inception.
'SECTION
375'
is
a
gripping
courtroom
drama
that
delves
into
the
complexities
of
India's
legal
system,
particularly
concerning
fake
rape
cases.
Loosely
based
on
the
Shiney
Ahuja
case,
the
film's
inception
dates
back
to
Manish's
personal
connection
with
Shiney
and
his
wife
Anupam.
Manish
and
Shiney
were
set
to
collaborate
on
a
film
about
Charles
Sobhraj
until
Shiney's
unexpected
arrest
disrupted
those
plans.
Recalling
those
tumultuous
times,
Manish
vividly
recounts
his
visit
to
the
Oshiwara
police
station
when
Shiney
was
arrested,
"It's
been
four
years
since
my
film
'SECTION
375'
released,
and
I
am
glad
that
the
film
is
still
fresh
in
people's
memories.
I
invested
three
years
of
my
life
researching
and
writing
the
script
which
was
loosely
based
on
the
Shiney
Ahuja
case.
I
knew
Shiney
and
his
wife
Anupam
personally,
and
I
used
to
visit
their
home
in
Oshiwara,
Andheri
because
at
that
time,
Shiney
and
I
were
supposed
to
do
a
film
based
on
Charles
Sobhraj,
but
Shiney
got
arrested
and
the
film
was
shelved.
When
Shiney
was
arrested,
I
along
with
some
common
friends
rushed
to
the
Oshiwara
police
station
where
Shiney
was
being
held.
But
the
DCP
flatly
told
me
that
they
can't
let
Shiney
go.
The
DCP
said
that
intercourse
between
Shiney
and
his
female
maid
servant
has
been
established,
but
it
is
not
clear
as
yet
whether
it
was
forced
or
consensual."
Manish
further
added,
"I
argued
with
the
DCP
that
if
you
are
not
sure
whether
sex
had
happened
forcibly
or
consensually,
then
kindly
release
Shiney
on
the
basis
of
a
benefit
of
doubt.
But
the
DCP
explained
that
since
a
woman
has
filed
a
rape
complaint,
the
police
is
compelled
by
law
to
arrest
the
man.
This
was
my
firsthand
introduction
to
how
unfair
and
gender-biased
laws
in
India
are."
Over
three
painstaking
years,
Manish
delved
into
extensive
research,
attending
167
court
hearings,
meeting
with
lawyers,
judges,
accused
men,
and
rape
survivors.
What
he
discovered
during
this
journey
was
startling
-
approximately
80%
of
registered
rape
cases
in
India
are
filed
with
ulterior
motives,
including
vengeance,
extortion,
and
family
pressure.
This
grim
reality
served
as
the
foundation
for
the
script
of
'SECTION
375,'
a
film
that
tackles
the
sensitive
issue
of
false
rape
accusations.
The
story
unravels
within
the
confines
of
a
courtroom,
where
two
talented
lawyers,
played
brilliantly
by
Akshaye
Khanna
and
Richa
Chadha,
battle
it
out
to
uncover
the
truth.
Manish
Gupta's
meticulous
research
and
attention
to
detail
shine
through
in
the
film,
making
it
a
hard-hitting
and
thought-provoking
cinematic
experience.
The
impact
of
'SECTION
375'
was
felt
not
only
by
audiences
but
also
within
the
film
industry.
Manish's
screenplay
earned
him
a
nomination
for
Best
Screenplay
at
the
prestigious
2020
Filmfare
Awards,
a
testament
to
his
dedication
and
commitment
to
addressing
important
societal
issues
through
cinema.
As
'SECTION
375'
marks
its
fourth
anniversary,
it
continues
to
resonate
with
viewers.
Manish
Gupta's
dedication
to
shedding
light
on
this
critical
issue
that
has
left
a
lasting
legacy
in
the
world
of
Indian
cinema.