Priyadarshan’s film is based on a TOI report on khap panchayats

Meena Iyer | TNN (BOMBAY TIMES; August 9, 2010)

Priyadarshan couldn’t have timed it better. His hard-hitting action thriller about love across caste barriers and honour killings based on a Times of India report, releases worldwide on October 1.

A year ago, when Priyan joined hands with producer Kumar Mangat Pathak (Omkara), the makers hadn’t envisaged that parts of India would be under siege of the khap panchayats. Big Screen Entertainer’s Aakrosh has Ajay Devgn and Akshaye Khanna playing CBI officers — one on special deputation to the village and the other, the local officer. The other cast members are Bipasha Basu, Paresh Rawal, Reema Sen and Amita Pathak in a stellar role.

Another USP of the film is the music by the current Bollywood craze Pritam and lyrics by Irshad Kamil. Mangat is very confident the film will hammer the right message as far as honour killings go. “This is a topic that has taken India by storm. Ours is a hard-hitting commercial film that is likely to drive home the message to the masses and the gentry,’’ he says. “Omkara got me awards. Aakrosh should get me awards and rewards.’’

Ajay, whose equity is bullish after three hits — All the Best, Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge and Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai, feels the film will work. Says the actor, “Bollywood is going through an interesting and important phase. Today a filmmaker has the liberty to address a More >