Actor Santosh Pramit and actress Prity Singh at the mahurat of Bhojpuri film E Hamar Ha in Patna on Tuesday. Picture by Deepak Kumar

Patna, Jan. 31: Film director Deepak Pandey has chosen the issue of regionalism for his debut venture. The plight of the people from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh living in Mumbai is the subject of his Bhojpuri flick to go on floor from February 10.

Deepak’s first film E Hamar Ha (It’s Mine) also takes inspiration from Patna boy Rahul Raj who was shot at Kurla, Mumbai, on October 27, 2008, in an encounter. He had allegedly planned to kill Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray.

Producer Sangeeth Sivan and director Mahesh Pandey made 332 Mumbai to India in 2010 based on Rahul’s story.

Deepak said: “The Rahul Raj incident inspired me to direct a film on this topic. Though the film will not be completely based on Rahul, his story will be the centre point. The film will deal with the topic of regionalism, how people from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are neglected and the problems they face.

“We have named the film E Hamar Ha. It means that India belongs to every Indian and nobody has a right to claim he/she owns certain parts of the country. The Constitution has given every citizen the right to stay and work in any place in the country. There should be no obstacles in that,” he added.

The mahurat of Deepak’s debut venture was organised today at IMA Hall. The producer, director and the artistes of the film — all debutantes — were present at the venue.

Producer Sanjay Tarana said: “We are not the first ones to make a film on the issue of regionalism. Many films have been produced and directed on this subject but we have tried to give a different look to the film. It would be more realistic and authentic; the characters are from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and they will be the real essence of the film.”

Santosh Pramit and Omesh Munna from Bihar and Vivek Ojha from Uttar Pradesh have bagged roles in the film while Prity Singh is the female lead.

E Hamar Ha is being produced under the banner of S.A. Arts Motion Pictures Producers.

Taking a dig at the MNS chief, without taking his name, Sanjay said: “The issue is sensitive and logical. Time and again, we hear comments from a leader that people from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are a load on a city like Mumbai. They (people from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh) have always been targeted for the wrong reasons. I hope this film would be able to give a strong message to people who have such a mentality. This film will show the plight of three youths who struggle to get an identity in Mumbai.”

The producer said the film will start on February 10 and will be mostly shot in Rajgir and Mumbai. The crew aims to wrap up the shooting in four months.