Abhishek Kapoor says the story of "Kedarnath" touches upon the country's topical issues, not with the intention to spark a controversy or commit blasphemy but simply to provide healing to people in the current divisive times.
Set against the backdrop of one of the worst human tragedies, the film chronicles the love story of a Muslim porter and a Hindu girl, while making a larger commentary on religious inclusion.
Kapoor says the team "recognises" the issues they are talking about in the film are delicate and they tried to handled them with a lot of sensitivity.
"If you just look at the current state we are in, this entire election has been fought on Hindu-Muslim politics, after that you got the entire Sabrimala issue going on. If you look at this movie, it is touching upon all these issues. It's a very delicate subject to touch upon," Kapoor told PTI.
"That's where the challenge is. Without hurting people, pushing any wrong buttons, you still say what you have to say. That requires very in-depth understanding of people. You can take the story, flip it and make it blasphemous and controversial. But that wasn't our intention. It is to bring healing, understanding," he adds.
The politics of religion is a recurring theme for Kapoor, who previously touched upon the same in his "Kai Po Che!", which chronicled the story of three youngsters whose friendship is put to test during the Godhra train massacre and the communal riots which followed.
"I try to make very Indian films. We are just trying to show a mirror to the society. I am not someone who is very articulate and keeps talking. So whatever I've to say and I feel about my country, I show through my films.
"This is who we are. If that's a repeating thread in a couple of my films, it's just because it's out there. It's so clear, present, in your face divisive instrument -- religion."
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