‘Hope Rhea Chakraborty feels vindicated after watching Pooja Meri Jaan’: Navjot Gulati

Navjot Gulati, the director of Pooja Meri Jaan, made the film six years ago. The courtroom drama, produced by Dinesh Vijan's Maddock Films, faced delays before its release on ZEE5. Gulati, who accused the production house of sidelining his film, now emphasizes the message conveyed through the movie, rather than why it took years to release.

Pooja Meri Jaan revolves around a theatre actor facing a legal and media trial for allegedly abetting the suicide of her colleague. The film shares a striking parallel to the real-life case of Rhea Chakraborty, who was arrested and blamed for the suicide of actor Sushant Singh Rajput in 2020. Gulati acknowledges that the film's relevance has only increased over time, given the regressive state of society.

The filmmaker reveals that he drew inspiration from real-life events while creating Pooja Meri Jaan. After completing the screenplay, he was influenced by the media trial surrounding Rhea Chakraborty's case. However, he decided not to approach Rhea for input, as she had already gone through immense public scrutiny.

Gulati's screenplay takes the audience through multiple viewpoints, initially making them question the titular character's guilt before revealing the truth. The film also features Huma Qureshi as Pooja's lawyer, Sana, whose character arc involves doubting her client before ultimately believing in her.

Actress Mrunal Thakur, who plays Pooja, is praised for her ability to connect with the character's emotions, drawing from her own experiences. Gulati credits co-writer Kanishka Singh Deo, co-director Vipasha Arvind, and editor Sanyukta Kaza for shaping the film's narrative, emphasizing the importance of involving women in telling women's stories.

Despite the film's dark themes, Gulati opts for a hopeful ending, aiming to offer a positive message amid a cynical society. He argues that becoming aware of one's surroundings is crucial for leading a balanced life, regardless of gender.