Bhojpuri film artist Haider Kazmi during the shooting of Rangbaz. Telegraph picture

Patna, April 6: Naxalism, arguably the greatest internal security threat to the country that has claimed thousands of lives on both sides of the conflict, has now inspired a Bhojpuri filmmaker to make a film on Maoism in the state. Titled Rangbaz, the film is set in the Maoist-hit Jehanabad district and tells the story of how a common man is forced to become a Naxalite.

Director Shivram Yadav, who hails from Deori in Uttar Pradesh, said: “The Bhojpuri film industry is popular for making spicy and commercial films. We are trying to push the envelope by dealing with a serious issue like Naxalism that affects the residents of Bihar. It is new age Bhojpuri cinema based on realism.

“Naxalism is arguably the biggest security threat. This film is born out of newspaper headlines,” added Shivram.

The director is in august company as far as the subject of the film is concerned. A number of renowned filmmakers have dealt with subject in Bollywood. Govind Nihalani’s Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa (1998) that dealt with a mother’s (played by Jaya Bachchan) struggle to come to terms with the death of her son in the Naxalite movement, opened the floodgates after it received an overwhelming response and a string of awards. While Gaganvihari Borate’s Lal Salaam (2002) delved deep into the problems faced by the ethnic groups in various parts of the country, Sudhir Mishra’s Hazaron Khawaishein Aisi (2005) made a study of the students’ movements of the 1970s and the Emergency.

Haider Kazmi, the lead actor of Rangbaz, said: “I spent my early years in Jehanabad in Alinagar Pali village. No one understands the situation as well as someone like me does. Even the name of my district inspires fear in people.

“The film deals with the growth of Naxalism in Bihar. It also describes the violation of human rights and true-life incidents,” added Kazmi, explaining the plot of the film.

On November 14, 2005 thousands of Maoists stormed the Jehanabad district headquarters, killed five people and freed 250 of their cadres, after a fierce encounter with the security personnel.

“I can never forget that day. Such incidents have inspired us to make this film. A lot of people in my district joined the rebels without knowing anything about the history of Naxalism, as the police or administration mistreated them. These stories need to be told,” said Kazmi.

Major portions of the film, made on a budget of Rs1.1 crore, have been shot in Gujarat.

The audio release of the film is scheduled on April 13. It will be released in the last week of May under the banner of ASC Digital Private Limited.