After Ittefaq, Akshaye Khanna bags one more thriller

Off lately, Akshaye Khanna has stayed away from the film industry for a while. But, with Abhay Chopra's "Ittefaq" last year the actor won many accolades due to which many filmmakers are thinking to approach him in their films. However, the actor has also proven his acting skills time and again with each film.

Well now, he is all set to return in Manish Gupta's next, "Section 375: Marzi Ya Jabardasti", which is inspired by 10 real-life cases. Manish, who last directed the 2015 murder-mystery Rahasya, will roll with this suspense-drama in March-April.

In an interview with a leading daily, Manish said, 'In recent times, there have been a number of cases where it's ambiguous whether it was rape or consensual sex. The law can be misused by both men and women alike. This film is about how a law against rape made to protect women can also be misused by them.'

He attended several hearings in court for two years as part of his research. "There is a special court with a special female judge who only hears rape cases. I have also met survivors, their families, alleged rapists and both their lawyers," he says. "It's very disturbing not only for the accused and the survivors but also their families,' the filmmaker added.

Akshaye will be seen playing a lawyer in the film who is very fluent in English. "I did not want a typical Bollywood hero who sings and dances. I needed an intelligent guy, somebody who looks 40, qualities I found in Akshaye,' Manish said, asserting that till the end you will be left guessing about whether it was a rape or consensual sex.

Abhishek Pathak, who is producing the film with his father Kumar Mangat, added that the issue they are trying to raise with this film is that some women misuse the power given to them by the law which makes it difficult for real rape victims. "I've seen Manish's Rahasya and we thought it was an interesting film. We know what he will be able to achieve with the script. When he came to us, we were drawn by the idea of Section 375 and decided to back the project," said Abhishek.

Richa Chadha will also be seen in the lead role where she will be essaying the role of a public prosecutor.

CREDITS: MUMBAI MIRROR