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{{Short description|2015 film by Hansal Mehta}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2015}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Aligarh
| image = AligarhFilmPoster.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Hansal Mehta]]
| producer = Sunil Lulla [[Shailesh R Singh]] [[Sandip Ssingh]]
| writer = [[Apurva Asrani]]
| screenplay = Apurva Asrani
| story = Apurva Asrani Ishani Banerjee
| based_on =
| starring = [[Manoj Bajpayee]] [[Rajkummar Rao]] [[Ashish Vidyarthi]]
| music = Karan Kulkarni
| cinematography = Satya Rai Nagpaul
| editing = Apurva Asrani
| released = {{Film date|2015|10|04|Busan|ref1=<ref>{{cite web |title=A Window on Asian Cinema |url=http://www.biff.kr/eng/html/program/prog_view.asp?idx=19377&c_idx=274&sp_idx=&QueryStep=2 |website=Busan Internantional Film Festival |date=2015 |access-date=1 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205054345/http://www.biff.kr/eng/html/program/prog_view.asp?idx=19377&c_idx=274&sp_idx=&QueryStep=2 |archive-date=5 February 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>|2016|02|26|India|df=y}}
| runtime = 114 minutes
| studio = [[Eros International]] Karma Pictures
| distributor =
| country = India
| language = [[Hindi]]
| budget = {{INR|11 crore}}
| gross = {{INR|4.27 crore}}
}}

'''''Aligarh''''' is a 2015 Indian [[Hindi]] [[biographical|biographical drama]] film directed by [[Hansal Mehta]] and written by [[Apurva Asrani]]. It stars [[Manoj Bajpayee]] and [[Rajkummar Rao]] in the lead roles.

The film had its world premiere at the 20th [[Busan International Film Festival]], receiving a standing ovation. The film was released worldwide on 26 February 2016 to critical acclaim. Bajpayee won critical acclaim and a [[Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor]] for his portrayal of [[Ramchandra Siras]].

The biographical drama performed poorly at the box office.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-02-26 |title=Aligarh |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/aligarh/box-office/ |website=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |access-date=2024-12-05 |language=en |archive-date=7 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207093122/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/aligarh/box-office/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Plot==
[[Section 377]] of the [[Indian Penal Code]] criminalised sexual activities "against the order of nature," which included homosexual acts. On July 2, 2009, the [[Delhi High Court]] declared Section 377 unconstitutional, effectively decriminalising homosexuality.

On February 8, 2010, in [[Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh]], [[Ramchandra Siras|Dr. Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras]], an esteemed [[Marathi language]] professor at [[Aligarh Muslim University]], returned home at night in a rickshaw. Later, Siras and the rickshaw puller went to his apartment, where two TV journalists forcibly entered and filmed Siras engaging in a consensual act with the man. One journalist was armed with a stick, while the other carried a camera. This premeditated sting operation led to Siras's suspension, and the story made local headlines.

The case drew the attention of Deepak Sebastian, a Delhi-based journalist eager for a breakthrough story. With the support of his boss Nameeta, Deepak traveled to Aligarh to investigate. Meanwhile, protests erupted at the university over Siras's suspension. His colleague, Professor Sridharan, pressured him into writing a letter expressing embarrassment over the incident in hopes of retaining his position. Despite this, Siras faced widespread ostracism, denial of medical treatment, and eventual termination. The university also issued him a legal notice to vacate his residence within seven days, cutting off his electricity despite protests.

Deepak, disturbed by the blatant injustice, uncovered evidence suggesting Siras was the victim of a planned operation. Though initially reluctant, Siras eventually confided in Deepak, alleging that jealousy among colleagues motivated the smear campaign. He recounted how two individuals stormed his apartment armed with a camera and sticks, filmed him, and physically assaulted him, followed by four colleagues entering without permission.

Back in Delhi, gay rights activists [[Anjali Gopalan]] and Arvind Narayan offered legal support, confident after the Delhi High Court's Section 377 ruling. Siras was represented by Advocate [[Anand Grover]], a key figure in the earlier decriminalisation case. Forced to leave his university-provided housing, Siras moved to private accommodation.

Legal proceedings began in March 2010. The university presented the coerced letter of embarrassment as evidence, while Siras's colleagues refused further assistance. Deepak pursued leads, suspecting that Irfan, the rickshaw puller present that night, was part of the conspiracy. However, Siras expressed trust and affection for Irfan.

In court, the prosecution focused on framing Siras's consensual relationship as immoral and criminal. Despite this, Siras eventually won the case, and the court ordered his reinstatement. Deepak congratulated Siras, promising to celebrate together. Tragically, the next day, Siras was found dead in his apartment. Police discovered traces of poison in his blood but ruled out foul play.

A few years later, the Supreme Court reinstated Section 377, re-criminalising homosexuality in India.{{efn|Homosexuality was decriminalised again in 2018}}

{{notelist}}

==Cast==
* [[Manoj Bajpayee]] as Professor [[Ramchandra Siras|Dr. Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras]]
* [[Rajkummar Rao]] as Journalist Deepu Sebastian
* [[Ashish Vidyarthi]] as Advocate [[Anand Grover]]
* [[Ishwak Singh]] as Arvind Narayan
* Nutan Surya as [[Anjali Gopalan]]
* Divya Unny as Reporter
* Suman Vaidya as Shadab Qureshi
* Devyansh Agnihotri (Child Artist)
* Saptrishi Ghosh as Assistant Lawyer
* [[Dilnaz Irani]] as Nameeta
* Sukhesh Arora as Tahir Islam
* Sumit Gulati as Tashi
* Sachin Parikh as Anuj
* Balaji Gauri as Nita Grewal
* K.R.Parmeshwar as Prof. Sridharan
* Prashant Kumar as Rickshaw wala

==Production==
Mehta said the planning for the film started in 2010, when a woman from Delhi sent him an email with an idea for a story based on the AMU incident, and his editor Asrani decided to choose it as his first film writing project.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gupta|first=Nidhi|date=28 October 2015|title=“The problem with actors? They're too disciplined,” says Hansal Mehta|url=https://www.gqindia.com/content/hansal-mehta-aligarh-interview-manoj-bajpai-gq-india|access-date=6 October 2025|website=[[GQ India]]|language=en|archive-date=9 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809073345/https://www.gqindia.com/content/hansal-mehta-aligarh-interview-manoj-bajpai-gq-india|url-status=live}}</ref> Though Rao and Bajpayee's characters interact face to face throughout the film, the real life Sebestian never met Siras, interacting with him only through phone conversations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Matthew|first=Suresh|date=27 February 2016|title=Here's the Journalist Who Tracked 'Aligarh' Professor Siras' Story|url=https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/heres-the-journalist-who-tracked-aligarh-professor-siras-story |access-date=6 October 2025 |website=[[The Quint]] |language=en}}</ref>

[[Govinda (actor)|Govinda]] was Hansal Mehta's first choice for the role of Ramchandra Siras, before Manoj Bajpayee was cast.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 September 2023 |title=Not Manoj Bajpayee, Hansal Mehta says he initially wanted to cast Govinda in Aligarh: 'I don't know what happened…' |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/not-manoj-bajpayee-hansal-mehta-reveals-he-wanted-to-cast-govinda-for-aligarh-i-dont-know-what-happened-8957108/ |access-date=26 September 2023 |website=[[The Indian Express]] |language=en |archive-date=26 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926113941/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/not-manoj-bajpayee-hansal-mehta-reveals-he-wanted-to-cast-govinda-for-aligarh-i-dont-know-what-happened-8957108/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The film was shot in various locations, including [[Allahabad]], [[Bareilly]], [[Delhi]] and [[Mumbai]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/150423/entertainment-bollywood/article/hansal-mehta-wraps-his-next-project-aligarh|title=Hansal Mehta wraps up his next project 'Aligarh'|website=[[Deccan Chronicle]]|date=23 April 2015 |access-date=6 October 2025}}</ref> Mehta could not shoot Aligarh on location at AMU due to resistance from local far-right groups, and hence much of the film was shot at Bareilly College, which while smaller, has the same sense of architecture as AMU.<ref>{{cite web|last=Jaimini|first=Bhawna|url=https://www.stirworld.com/think-books-and-movies-hansal-mehta-on-the-importance-of-ordinary-spatiality-in-filmmaking|title=Hansal Mehta on the importance of 'ordinary' spatiality in filmmaking|website=Stir World|date=1 August 2024|access-date=6 October 2025|archive-date=5 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240805222903/https://www.stirworld.com/think-books-and-movies-hansal-mehta-on-the-importance-of-ordinary-spatiality-in-filmmaking|url-status=live}}</ref>

Bajpayee said in 2024 that making the film had a major impact on him, stating that it guided him to where he should take his career next, and that it improved him as a human being. He also said that he was not himself when doing the film, and that he felt Siras' spirit guiding him.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/manoj-bajpayee-reflects-on-his-character-in-hansal-mehtas-aligarh-it-improved-me-as-a-human-being|title=Manoj Bajpayee Reflects On His Character In Hansal Mehta's 'Aligarh': It Improved Me As A Human Being|website=[[Outlook India|Outlook]]|date=28 February 2024|access-date=6 October 2025|archive-date=19 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919063343/https://www.outlookindia.com/amp/story/art-entertainment/manoj-bajpayee-reflects-on-his-character-in-hansal-mehtas-aligarh-it-improved-me-as-a-human-being|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Reception==
''Aligarh'' had its European première at the 59th BFI [[London Film Festival]] on 10 October 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/aligarh-gets-standing-ovation-in-busan-director-hansal-mehta-elated/ |title='Aligarh' gets standing ovation in Busan, director Hansal Mehta elated |website=[[The Indian Express]] |date=4 October 2015 |access-date=1 February 2016 |archive-date=28 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151028181216/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/aligarh-gets-standing-ovation-in-busan-director-hansal-mehta-elated/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The response was generally superlative and the film garnered excellent reviews. ''[[Screen International]]'' in its review called it a "A subtle, sensitive take on a controversial real-life court case involving the victimization of a gay college professor, Aligarh underscores the growing strength and diversity of Indian independent cinema".<ref>{{cite web |last=Halligan |first=Fionnuala |url=http://www.screendaily.com/reviews/aligarh-review/5095752.article |title='Aligarh': Review |website=[[Screen International]] |date=21 October 2015 |access-date=1 February 2016 |archive-date=1 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201095059/http://www.screendaily.com/reviews/aligarh-review/5095752.article |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[British Film Institute]], in its 'Whats On' review of ''Aligarh'' called it "Probably the best film yet on the [[Indian gay]] male experience, Hansal Mehta directs a riveting and nuanced tale that is as touching as it is powerful."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://whatson.bfi.org.uk/lff/Online/default.asp?BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::permalink=aligarh&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::context_id= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151013224458/https://whatson.bfi.org.uk/LFF/Online/default.asp?BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::permalink=aligarh&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::context_id= |url-status=dead |date=October 2015|archive-date=13 October 2015 |title=Aligarh |website=BFI London Film Festival |access-date=1 February 2016}}</ref> ''Aligarh'' had its India première in Mumbai at the 17th [[Mumbai Film Festival|Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival]] on 30 October 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mumbai film festival announces eclectic line-up|date=29 October 2015|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/mumbai-film-festival-announces-eclectic-line-up/|website=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=20 August 2017|archive-date=6 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606101546/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/mumbai-film-festival-announces-eclectic-line-up/|url-status=live}}</ref> It also has the honour of being the only Indian film to open the festival since its inception. The response was once again overwhelming. Meenakshi Shedde, South Asia Consultant to the [[Berlin Film Festival]] and award-winning critic, had this to say about in her ''[[Mid-Day]]'' review: "''Aligarh'' is masterfully directed: it is that rare film that courageously stands for human rights, including those of homosexuals, yet offers a quiet, distilled perspective."<ref>{{cite web|last=Shedde|first=Meenakshi|url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/a-different-marathi-manoos/16631184#sthash.mR5YYrvO.dpuf|title=A different 'Marathi manoos'|date=24 October 2015|website=[[Mid-Day]]|access-date=1 February 2016|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060600/http://www.mid-day.com/articles/a-different-marathi-manoos/16631184#sthash.mR5YYrvO.dpuf|url-status=live}}</ref>

Gay rights activist and editor of ''Bombay Dost'' magazine, [[Ashok Row Kavi]], in his [[Firstpost]] review called ''Aligarh'' "a masterpiece of cinematic skills" and went on to say "What Mehta and writer Apurva Asrani have done is pluck out a commonplace professor in a commonplace university and weave a true life story into a tapestry of terrifying, compelling drama."<ref>{{cite web |last=Row Kavi |first=Ashok |url=http://www.firstpost.com/living/aligarh-what-this-compelling-drama-tells-us-about-our-approach-to-homosexuals-2493926.html |title=A masterpiece of cinematic skills, 'Aligarh' has a lot to say about the way we perceive homosexuals |website=[[Firstpost]] |date=4 November 2015 |access-date=1 February 2016 |archive-date=4 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204174510/http://www.firstpost.com/living/aligarh-what-this-compelling-drama-tells-us-about-our-approach-to-homosexuals-2493926.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Columnist Aseem Chhabra in his [[Rediff]] review said "Aligarh is a very important film, a milestone in the history of Indian cinema that should start the much-needed conversation about how India treats a visible and yet often ignored minority group."<ref>{{cite web |last=Chabbra |first=Aseem |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/column/why-aligarh-is-a-very-important-film/20151105.htm |title=Why Aligarh is a very important film |website=[[Rediff]] |date=5 November 2015 |access-date=1 February 2016 |archive-date=2 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202070931/http://www.rediff.com/movies/column/why-aligarh-is-a-very-important-film/20151105.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Shubra Gupta of ''[[Indian Express]]'' gave it 3.5 stars, calling it "both timely and telling", stating that the writers came with a film with "authenticity and emotional heft" of a story all can relate to. She praises Bajpayee for his portrayal having a "bewildered fragility" with gentleness demanding "understanding and compassion."<ref name="The Indian Express">{{cite web|last=Gupta|first=Shubra|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/aligarh-movie-review-three-and-half-stars-manoj-bajpyee-rajkummar-rao/|title=Aligarh movie review: Manoj Bajpayee gives a brilliant performance, quiet and affecting|date=26 February 2016|website=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=27 September 2025|archive-date=3 May 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250503232819/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/aligarh-movie-review-three-and-half-stars-manoj-bajpyee-rajkummar-rao/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV gave it 4.5 stars, finding the movie portrays "a portrait of loneliness" very rare in Indian cinema. He praises the performance of Bajpayee and Rao, stating that Bajpayee digs deep and makes himself seem inseparable from the agony and tragedy of Siras, with Rao proving to be ideal foil. He also praises Mehta focusing on his usual theme of "outsiders refusing to blend in", calling the movie "a human drama with universal resonance".<ref>{{cite web|last=Chatterjee|first=Saibal|access-date=27 September 2025|date=26 February 2016|url=http://movies.ndtv.com/movie-reviews/aligarh-movie-review-1238|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160227050408/http://movies.ndtv.com/movie-reviews/aligarh-movie-review-1238|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 February 2016|title=Aligarh Movie Review|website= NDTV Movies}}</ref> Namrata Joshi of [[The Hindu]] praises the film, stating that it opts to "remain in a humane and heartfelt zone rather than being hard-hitting" and a "quietude, gentleness and sincerity of treatment." She also praises Bajpayee for his idiosyncratic portrayal of Siras- showing Siras and his beliefs about love and emotions in a very lingering manner.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/entertainment/aligarh-an-autumn-of-loneliness/article8282914.ece|title=Aligarh: An autumn of loneliness|author=Namrata Joshi|author-link=Namrata Joshi|website=[[The Hindu]]|date=6 September 2016|access-date=27 September 2025|archive-date=27 November 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127021759/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/entertainment/aligarh-an-autumn-of-loneliness/article8282914.ece|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Accolades==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! width="5%" | Year
! width="30%" | Award
! width="35%" | Category
! width="5%" | Recipient(s)
! width="5%" | Result
! {{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
!rowspan="2"|2016
|[[10th Asia Pacific Screen Awards]]
|[[Asia Pacific Screen Award for Best Performance by an Actor|Best Actor]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Manoj Bajpayee]]
|{{won}}
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/manoj-bajpayee-wins-best-actor-at-the-asia-pacific-screen-awards/articleshow/55614416.cms|title=Manoj Bajpayee wins best actor at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards|website=[[The Economic Times]]|date=25 November 2016|access-date=18 September 2017}}</ref>
|-
|[[Jagran Film Festival]]
|Best Actor
|{{won}}
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/about/manoj-bajpayee/awards/|title=Manoj Bajpayee|website=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=5 October 2025}}</ref>
|-
! rowspan="5" |2017
|[[18th IIFA Awards]]
|[[IIFA Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]]
|[[Rajkumar Rao]]
|{{nom}}
|<ref>{{cite news|title=IIFA 2017: Awards return to US, New York hosted its 18th edition in July|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/iifa-2017-awards-return-to-us-new-york-to-host-its-18th-edition-in-july-see-pic-4610792/|access-date=26 May 2017|work=The Indian Express|date=12 April 2017}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[62nd Filmfare Awards]]
|[[Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor|Best Actor (Critics)]]
|[[Manoj Bajpayee]]
|{{won}}
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/mainstream-award-shows-need-to-be-more-credible-manoj-bajpayee-4477247/|title=Mainstream award shows need to be more credible: Manoj Bajpayee|date=16 January 2017|website=[[The Indian Express]]|last=Kameshwari|first=A.|access-date=5 October 2025}}</ref>
|-
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]]
|[[Rajkumar Rao]]
|{{nom}}
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmfare.com/news/nominations-for-the-62nd-jio-filmfare-awards-17987.html|title=62nd Jio Filmfare Awards 2017 Nominations|website=[[Filmfare Awards]]|date=10 January 2017|access-date=5 October 2025|archive-date=13 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113122217/http://www.filmfare.com/news/nominations-for-the-62nd-jio-filmfare-awards-17987.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[Zee Cine Awards|17th Zee Cine Awards]]
|[[Zee Cine Critics Award for Best Actor – Male|Best Actor (Critics)]]
|[[Manoj Bajpayee]]
|{{nom}}
|rowspan="2"|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/salman-khan-sultan-dominates-zee-cine-awards-2017-nominations-4551333/|title=Salman Khan’s Sultan dominates Zee Cine Awards 2017 nominations|website=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=5 October 2025|date=2 March 2017|archive-date=6 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606051642/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/salman-khan-sultan-dominates-zee-cine-awards-2017-nominations-4551333/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|[[Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Male|Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Male]]
|[[Rajkumar Rao]]
|{{nom}}
|}

== See also ==
* ''[[Philadelphia (film)|Philadelphia]]'', a film about a gay man being terminated from his law firm and his fight for compensation
* [[Brokeback Mountain]], a tragic love story between two cowboys forced to hide their relationship due to societal pressures, set against the backdrop of the Wyoming wilderness.

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb title|tt5121000}}
{{Hansal Mehta}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:2015 Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:2015 Indian films]]
[[Category:Indian biographical drama films]]
[[Category:Indian LGBTQ-related films]]
[[Category:LGBTQ-related films based on actual events]]
[[Category:2015 films]]
[[Category:2015 biographical drama films]]
[[Category:2015 LGBTQ-related films]]
[[Category:Films set in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Films shot in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Films about social issues in India]]
[[Category:2010s LGBTQ-related drama films]]
[[Category:Gay-related films]]
[[Category:2015 drama films]]
[[Category:Aligarh]]
[[Category:Aligarh Muslim University]]

Aligarh film - Revision history

Freelaw67 at 05:49, 2 March 2026