The film '31st October' reveals the reality of 1984 anti-Sikh riots

National Award-winning Marathi filmmaker Shivaji Lotan Patil's Hindi film, '31st October', has struck a chord with the Sikh community and some politicians, including Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.

The thriller is based on a real incident that took place during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots that followed former Prime Minister
Indira Gandhi's assassination. It had initially faced trouble, when a close aide of India's oldest political party had filed a PIL in the Delhi High Court to stall its release.


The film features a Sikh couple, played by Soha Ali Khan and Vir Das, who try to save their three young children from the rioters and are helped by three of their Hindu friends.

In a big high for the team, critics have compared it to other well-made movies in the political drama space. Writer-producer Harry Sachdeva says, "31st October is a positive film about communal harmony and the triumph of humanity. Apart from paying tribute to the victims, it also highlights the heroes of the darkest day in India's post-Independence history."
Soha couldn't agree more. She states, "It is not an easy subject to attempt. We know we have made a good film and we really hope that it does well."

Vir says, "I enjoyed experimenting with my character and look for the movie. This film is as real as it gets and I hope to be part of such soul-stirring subjects in the future as well."

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