Disha’s family protest at Ram Gopal Varma’s office to cease the release of Disha Encounter

Controversy’s favourite child, director Ram Gopal Varma has landed himself in soup yet again. RGV is making a film titled Disha Encounter, based on the heart-breaking gang-rape and murder of a young veterinarian from Hyderabad that led to national outrage in November 2019. Now, the victim Disha’s family has gathered at RGV’s office at Jubilee Hills on Sunday afternoon to protest against the release of the film.
Talking to the media, Disha’s father said, “He has not approached us regarding the movie or taken our permission for making a film based on what happened to her. How can he make such a film without taking our view into account? He put out a horrendous trailer on YouTube for the same, who is responsible for everything our family is now going through again? It has not even been a year and we are trying to move on for the sake of our other daughter. All he’s doing is trying to make money off our pain.”
Disha’s family approached the High Court recently, seeking restraint on the film’s release. The family requested the court to order the Centre, state government and CBFC to stay the film’s release. Telangana High Court closed the petition and directed authorities to take action if a representation is made to them to not release the film. The family also told the court that it’s improper to make a film on Disha when a judicial commission constituted by the Supreme Court is still looking into it.
However, RGV stated in an interview, “There are many brutal incidents that took place in the country over the last few years that prompted me to make this film. Disha Encounter aims at studying criminal behaviour and the brutality of our policing systems. It is definitely not based on any particular incident and I can guarantee, this film won’t defame Disha’s family.” The director has aimed for a November 26 release for the film, exactly a year after the incident. Release of RGV’s film Murder, based on the Pranay murder case in Miryalaguda was stayed by the court.