Almost a year post The Kerala Story collaboration, Vipul Amrutlal Shah, Sudipto Sen, and Adah Sharma reunite for another film venture. Entitled Bastar: The Naxal Story, it reportedly delves into real-life events surrounding Naxals in Chhattisgarh. However, upon the teaser's release, some corners of the internet labelled it as "propaganda" due to its perceived political leanings. ALSO READ: DID YOU KNOW? Adah Sharma Wanted To Learn The Basic Nuances Of Jungle Warfare For Her Character In Bastar The Naxal Story
Notably, the teaser features Adah Sharma portraying Neerja Mathur, an IPS officer confronting Naxals, delivering contentious dialogues critiquing JNU and advocating for action against leftist ideologies, sparking controversy. In an exclusive interview with News18 Showsha, the actress defends the inclusion of such politically charged lines despite facing backlash from certain quarters.
She expresses, "When embodying a tough cop like Neeraj Mathur in Bastar, my aim is for viewers to perceive her as strong, fearless, and commanding. I want them to wholeheartedly believe every word she utters in the film. When she speaks of the tragedy of 76 jawans slaughtered and her desire for retribution, it stems from witnessing the brutality firsthand. While I may not voice it as Adah, Neerja's words reflect her character."
Yet, she remains attentive to critics questioning the film's approach. "Once audiences experience the film, its essence will be clear. However, as I emphasized during The Kerala Story, it's a democracy – viewers have the freedom to choose to watch or not, to comment after viewing or abstain. We should also respect those who voice opinions without viewing, as it's their prerogative," Adah affirms.
Addressing the theme of patriotism in Bastar, the 31-year-old underscores its resonance with her personal values, stating, "Our ability to engage in peaceful discourse is owed to our jawans. We owe them gratitude. The perpetrators, the Naxals, have committed atrocities against their fellow citizens, and I cannot condone such actions because of my love for my country. For me, Bastar is a cinematic tribute to patriotism, and I stand firmly by it." The film is slated to release on March 15.
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