Akshaye Khanna to star as a lawyer in the film Section 375: Marzi Ya Jabardasti

Akshay Kumar is set to star in Manish Gupta’s next, Section 375: Marzi Ya Jabardasti, which is based on real life cases. The film will go on the floors in March-April. During an interview with a leading Indian daily, Manish said, "In recent times, there have been a number of cases where it’s ambiguous whether it was rape or consensual sex. The law can be misused by both men and women alike. This film is about how a law against rape made to protect women can also be misused by them."

As a part of his research, the filmmaker has attended hearings in the court for 2 years. “There is a special court with a special female judge who only hears rape cases. I have also met survivors, their families, alleged rapists and both their lawyers. It’s very disturbing not only for the accused and the survivors but also their families.”

Akshay will be playing the role of a lawyer in the film. “I did not want a typical Bollywood hero who sings and dances. I needed an intelligent guy, somebody who looks 40, qualities I found in Akshaye,’’ Manish said.

Produced by Abhishek Pathak along with his father Kumar Mangat, the film highlights the issue of how women misuse the power conferred by the law which makes it complicated for real rape victims. “I’ve seen Manish’s Rahasya and we thought it was an interesting film. We know what he will be able to achieve with the script. When he came to us, we were drawn by the idea of Section 375 and decided to back the project,” said Abhishek.

Moreover, actress Richa Chadha will be playing the role of a public prosecutor in the film.