New Delhi, Jul 17 (PTI) Ad-filmmaker Prabhakar Shukla's first feature film, 'Kahaani Gudiya Ki,' based on the unfortunate Gudiya incident of Muzzafarnagar is ready and even though Gudiya is now no more, he feels the issue that the happenings raised is very much relevant.

"My film is not only about what happened with Gudiya, but it's a panoramic view of the entire episode from Gudiya's point of view. That's besides paying homage to her," says Shukla, adding, "Gudiya died due to excessive mental trauma that led to multiple organ failure. Her death is the most tragic part of the entire episode, and the film questions why it happened to her." The film is based on the real-life story of Gudiya who was married for ten days to Arif, an Indian Army soldier before he went to fight in the Kargil war.

But he did not return even after the war was over till two years later, by which time Gudiya was married to Taufeeq and was carrying his child. Despite that she was ordered by the panchayat to go back to Arif without even asking her consent.

The film will be showcased in the upcoming Osian's Cinefan Film Festival under 'Serious About Women' category.

Shukla says her story is relevant in our society as it is about the social issue of women's state in our country. "In the entire process of panchayat's decision making, not once was she asked whom she wanted to stay with - Arif or Taufeeq? The very fact that she wasn't allowed to have her say in a decision about her own life reflects the state of many women in our society. It also reflects that a change in mindset is needed and a constant change should be regulated by the concerned authorities as per the situation."

When asked about what he thought would have been Gudiya's choice since his team spoke with her Shukla says, "While speaking to her we realised that she was under tremendous pressure while all this was going on. She said she was not able to express herself and had no choice but to follow the law and what her elders told her." "She said that such strict laws shouldn't be there and emotional considerations should also be taken into the account while delivering such judgment on anybody's life," he says.

Quizzed over the genre of his film he says, "The film fits into the kind of cinema that mirrors the society. It's not an out and out commercial cinema but a thought-provoking film that will make people think why did it happen with Gudiya." So does the flick have the required entertainment quotient as well? "Yes. It has," he says and adds, "We have ensured that audience is entertained. There are three songs, a qawwali and a shaadi song along with a limited drama to keep audience engaged in the narrative." The film has been selected to be screened in the upcoming Osian's Cinefan Film Festival. "Osian's is a wide platform. So, it will help to pass on the message to both classes and masses, besides also bettering the awareness of the issue among them," he concludes.

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