Actor Vikrant Massey, whose 12th Fail had won hearts of the audience last year, features in The Sabarmati Report, which deals with the controversial incident of the 2002 Godhra riots where then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who is now the Prime Minister, was blamed over his handling of the incident. IBNS-TWF correspondent Souvik Ghosh pens Vikrant's words on the incident, the film and collaboration with producer Ekta Kapoor at a promotional event... Excerpts

Q. Tell us about your collaboration with Ekta Kapoor.

A. My teaming up with Ekta ma'am is very significant because we have collaborated yet again. She gave me my first break in movies. When I went back to television after failing to bag consecutive films, she was the one again to back me on big screens. It was Ekta Kapoor who gave me another break in films. This is our eighth project together. But this collaboration is all the more special.

Q. How much do you resonate with what has been shown in the film?

A. I resonate with every bit of the subject we have spoken about in The Sabarmati Report and that is why I agreed to sign up the project. I am extremely proud to be a part of this film. One of the reasons I came on board was because we were provided with ample research materials to back the story. At that point of time while I was reading and thinking over the script, I discovered a number of kids at my place had no clue to the incident.

Vikrant Massey | Photo courtesy: Vikrant Massey Instagram handle

The facts are very much available on the internet but we are perhaps not keen to give a close look at it. It has become a norm for us to read news headlines and move on with our lives. But this was our 9/11 (Islamist terrorist suicide attack in the US on September 11, 2001) kind of incident that had changed the socio-political fabric of the country overnight. Everyone talks about the Godhra riots but no one discusses the genesis of the incident.

Q. Have you been receiving any kind of threat for agreeing to do the film?

A. Yes. I have been receiving threats. I am dealing with it in the way it ought to be. But actors do express themselves through roles and films. I will make it clear that this film is purely based on facts. Without giving it a watch, no one should assume the film speaks in favour of one side.

Q. How would you personally react to the incident?

A. There are an end number of documentaries, films, and reportage on the incident available online. I can guarantee that the genesis of the incident, whether it was a conspiracy or not, is available on the internet. The film has specifically dealt with the subject. I want people to ask themselves why no one discussed the incident despite the availability of all information for the last 22 years. 

Q. There is a Hindi and English debate shown in the trailer. Do you feel the impact of English in the film industry as well?

A. I think we all are fighting for our identities, particularly in the age of toxic social media. I come across a lot of young actors who start feeling ashamed of their identities and roots within four months of moving to Mumbai. I always advise everyone to own up to his/her story and the origin. I have always wondered why people feel ashamed of their identities. But things are changing too. Hindi and several regional, tribal languages are being recognised in some central and state examinations.

(Photo courtesy: Vikrant Massey Instagram handle)