Hollywood star Meryl Streep leading campaign for best documentary Oscar for "India's Daughter"

Hollywood star Meryl Streep leading campaign for best documentary Oscar for "India's Daughter"

star Meryl

New Delhi, 17 October: The controversial BBC documentary film on the December 2012 Nirbhaya rape case.

 

“India’s Daughter” by Leslee Udwin which was banned in early March by the government, is opening at various theatres in the United States next week.

 

Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep, who introduced the documentary at its US theatrical release in New York City, said “I’m on the campaign now to get Udwin nominated for best documentary.”

 

The film is largely based on an extensive interview in jail with one of the attackers who blamed the victim, a 23-year-old trainee physiotherapist, for being out in the evening with a male friend.

 

In a statement, the government warned that certain excerpts “appear to encourage and incite violence against women.”

 

Promoter Christine Merser said screenings are also scheduled in some other countries.

 

Despite the uproar in India, “India’s Daughter” by Leslee Udwin was re-telecast on BBC4 to mark International Women’s Day.

 

Although BBC News is available in the country, the British pubcaster aired the documentary – for the second time in five days – on BBC4 which is not available to Indian viewers.

 

The documentary was also screened in countries across the globe -- including Switzerland, Norway and Canada -- to mark International Women's Day and is being screened in the United States today. The film also continues to be available to Indian viewers on the internet.