New Delhi: Filmmaker Devendra Malviya hasn’t slept in three days. He has been glued to the news ever since his upcoming film, 2020 Delhi, became the centre of a political storm.
The controversy erupted when Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi held a press conference on 26 January, urging the Election Commission of India (ECI) to halt the film’s release.
2020 Delhi portrays the communal violence that broke out in northeast Delhi on 24 February 2020, during the anti-CAA protests, leaving 54 people dead. The film is set to hit theatres on 2 February—just three days before the Delhi Assembly election. Malviya insists the timing is “purely coincidental.”
The Congress has accused the BJP of using the film as a political tool to stoke divisions and sway voters by presenting a “distorted version” of events.
Dismissing the allegations as “baseless,” Malviya, who also serves as an advisor to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), denied any BJP involvement and expressed concerns for his safety.
“If the BJP were backing me, wouldn’t they have provided security? I’ve reached out to several authorities, but no one has assured me of protection. I fear for my life and that of my family,” Malviya told ThePrint.
In response to the accusations, he said he might file a defamation case against Singhvi, insisting that politics played no role in the film’s release.
‘Politically incorrect’
Malviya wears many hats—serving as the scriptwriter, director, lyricist, and producer of 2020 Delhi.
His script, which took two years to complete, is based on extensive research. He claims to have referred to FIRs, charge sheets of those currently imprisoned, and several books on the anti-CAA protests to piece together the narrative.
The filmmaker has deliberately avoided political correctness. Instead, he said, “My film is politically incorrect because it presents the bare facts of what happened on 24 February.”
He insists 2020 Delhi does not vilify any particular community but seeks justice for the 54 lives lost, regardless of religion.
“I am angry not just for Hindus, but for everyone. Those 54 people were human beings. There was violence, riots, properties were burned—this shook me to my core. That’s why I started writing,” he explained.
When asked if activist Umar Khalid features in the film, Malviya remained ambiguous: “There is no character by the name of ‘Umar Khalid’ in the film. But there might or might not be a character that reminds the audience of him.”
He emphasised that while the film is based on real events, names have been changed, and claimed that every detail—from clothing and behaviour to casting—has been meticulously recreated.
As for potential hurdles, Malviya said that he has not received any notice from the Election Commission and believes there is nothing in the film that could incite communal tensions.
However, he is open to delaying the release if required.
“If they ask me to push the release date, I’ll do it. If my film is good, it will work—whether it premieres before or after the elections.”
(Edited by Prashant)