Aakhir Palayaan Kab Tak…? Hindi film questions Waqf Act, 1995 that has led to land grab – Beyond Bollywood

Filmmaker Mukul Vikram, and producer-actor Sohani Kumari have dared to touch upon a long contentious issue.

By Mayur Lookhar

In times when the word propaganda has percolated into cinema, it is vital to at least introspect on the controversial issues that certain films raise.

Little known filmmaker Mukul Vikram, producer-actor Sohani Kumari have braved to take the issue of land grab by influential groups within a community , courtesy a controversial Act.

Aakhir Palaayan Kab Tak…? [2024] dares to speak against Waqf Act, 1995 which grants powers to the Waqf Board to lay claim over disputed land.

The film’s cast includes the likes of Rajesh Sharma, Bhushan Pattiyal, Sohani Kumari, Chittaranjan Giri. Producer Sohani Kumari and director Mukul didn’t name the controversial Act but didn’t hold back in questioning as to how such a draconian Act was allowed in a civil nation?

Rajesh Sharma finds himself playing the lead role, perhaps a first in his career. Sharma’s character plays a victim whose property is likely to be snatched away by the Waqf Board.

Though, too, early, the trailer doesn’t suggest of great production values, but at least the makers have drawn one’s attention to a contentious issue, which the country at large is oblivious too.

A dive into history suggests that. the Waqf Act was passed in the Indian Parliament in 1954, keeping in line with the secular framework of Indian Constitution. The idea behind this Act was to look after the minority interests wherein land be alloted to the Waqf Board for charity , building mosques. However, an amendment in 1995, has supposedly given unfair powers to the Waqf Board to lay claim over any land. A dispute with Waqf over a piece of land can only be addressed by a Waqf tribunal. Their order cannot be challenged even by the Supreme Court of India.

Director Mukul Vikram put it as, “Here the criminal, judge, jury, executioner is all the same”.

There are various instances across country wherein the Waqf is alleged to have grabbed land. Besides, in the past, certain governments have been accused of granting vast land to the Wafq.

We wonder this film, this issue will indirectly give boost to the Union Government’s desire to implement a Uniform Civil Code.

For now though one will wait to see whether this film has been objective in tackling the contentious issue.

The film is set to be released in theatres on 16 February. Watch the trailer below.