Mumbai: It took over eight months for filmmaker Ashvin Kumar to get a U/A certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification for his forthcoming film "No Fathers In Kashmir". Veteran actress Soni Razdan, who plays a pivotal role in the film, says it was worth fighting for, and that whenever a story is told that is different from the popular narrative, the authorities try to curtail that voice.
Talking about the struggle of getting the certificate, Soni told IANS here: "When you are attempting to tell an honest story that does not fit the current, popular narrative, you should be mentally prepared for the trouble coming along with it.
"It was worth fighting for…our story throws light on some of the dark realities that the populists want to keep in shadow. So, those obstacles of censorship, curtailing our views - were bound to come."
"But we, as a team of ‘No Fathers In Kashmir', are happy that we have got a U/A certificate. Ashvin made the film without compromising, with a good intention."
The story of the film revolves around the journey of a girl who visits Kashmir valley in search of her missing father.
On her role in the film, Soni said: "I am playing a mother whose son disappeared years ago. Her granddaughter, who used to live in the UK, comes to Kashmir in search of her father. So my role in the film has a different emotional graph and it is a very nicely written part in the story."
Ashvin, a National Award winner, has written and directed the film.
"When I read the story, the script I just realised that it is such a detailed script that clearly shows how the writer is very well versed with the area that he is bringing on-screen.
"It is the reality we do not know…it has not been explored and this film is tapping into that. It was an eye-opener for me," said Soni, who is half-Kashmiri.
She admits that Kashmiris have a very different mindset from rest of the people living in urban areas, but she also explained the reason behind it.