Vishal Bhardwaj To Make Film On Tarun Tejpal Rape Case After Conviction, Says 'Want Lead Actor To Be Unaware Of The Crime'

Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj has confirmed that he is developing a film inspired by the Tarun Tejpal rape case. The announcement came shortly after the Bombay High Court overturned the former Tehelka editor’s acquittal by a Goa sessions court, convicted him of rape, and sentenced him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.

Known for acclaimed Shakespeare adaptations such as Maqbool, Omkara, and Haider, Vishal Bhardwaj said the contrasting judgments delivered in the case sparked his interest in telling the story on screen. The filmmaker was also present in Goa during the hearing.

Explaining the concept behind the project, Bhardwaj told Variety, “The contradiction between the two judgments makes it a perfect case for a ‘Rashomon’-style narrative. There are a lot of facts and incidents in this case that nobody knows about, and people will be amused and surprised to discover them on screen.”

The director revealed that he has studied the legal documents in detail, reading the Goa trial court’s 527-page judgment several times to better understand the complexities of the case.

Sharing why the case drew him in, he said, “As they say, the devil lies in the detail. How do you expect people to go through the tiring, dry legal language of a 500-plus-page court judgment? I have gone through the minutest details. I have read the judgment many times and am still grappling with it. It’s a very important case for society.”

Bhardwaj also stressed that the film will not be driven by preconceived conclusions. Instead, he intends to approach the subject from multiple perspectives.

“It’s too early for me to make up my mind on what the film is about,” he said, adding, “I’m very clear that the approach must be that of a dispassionate observer, like a true film journalist, if I may say so.”

He further explained his creative philosophy, saying, “No story is complete without all the different points of view, especially in a ‘Rashomon’ structure, because half a glass of water is also half empty at the same time – the only difference is perspective.”

Speaking about casting, Bhardwaj revealed that he wants the lead actor to approach the role without prior knowledge of the case. “I want the actor to be unaware of the crime, if possible, and to set the judgments aside. I would love for him to approach it as fiction.”

The project is being produced by Bhardwaj in association with a major Bollywood studio, although he has not disclosed the production house's name.

The Tarun Tejpal case has been one of India's longest-running criminal trials. Tejpal was arrested in 2013 after a junior colleague accused him of sexual assault. He was acquitted by a Goa sessions court in 2021, but the state challenged the verdict.

On August 6, the Bombay High Court overturned the acquittal, calling the trial court's judgment "perverse" and relying on the complainant’s testimony, CCTV footage, and Tejpal’s apology emails while convicting him. Tejpal has stated that he will challenge the verdict before the Supreme Court.