Vishal Bhardwaj to revisit Tarun Tejpal rape case on screen, reveals surprising casting choice

Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj has confirmed that he is working on a film inspired by the Tarun Tejpal rape case, days after the Bombay High Court convicted the former Tehelka editor and sentenced him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. The court overturned the 2021 acquittal delivered by a Goa sessions court.

Bhardwaj, known for adapting literary works for the screen, said the differing conclusions reached by the two courts prompted him to explore the case through cinema. He was also present in Goa during the hearing.

Speaking to Variety, the filmmaker said, “The contradiction between the two judgments makes it a perfect case for a ‘Rashomon’ style narrative. There are a lot of facts and incidents in this case that nobody knows about, and people will be amused and surprised to discover them on screen.”

The director revealed that he has closely examined the court records, including the Goa trial court's 527 page judgment, to understand the details of the case. Explaining what drew him to the subject, he said, “As they say, the devil lies in the detail. How do you expect people to go through the tiring, dry legal language of a 500 plus page court judgment? I have gone through the minutest details. I have read the judgment many times and am still grappling with it. It’s a very important case for society.”

Bhardwaj added that the project is still in its early stages. “It’s too early for me to make up my mind on what the film is about,” he said, adding, “I’m very clear that the approach must be that of a dispassionate observer, like a true film journalist, if I may say so.”

Discussing his storytelling approach, he said, “No story is complete without all the different points of view, especially in a ‘Rashomon’ structure, because half a glass of water is also half empty at the same time – the only difference is perspective.”

He also shared his casting preference, saying, “I want the actor to be unaware of the crime, if possible, and to set the judgments aside. I would love for him to approach it as fiction.”

The film is being produced in association with a major Bollywood studio, whose name has not yet been revealed. Meanwhile, Tarun Tejpal has said he will challenge the Bombay High Court's verdict before the Supreme Court.