Ashutosh Gowarikar lends his support to a friend

Ashutosh Gowarikar has come forward in support of his old friend Ujjval Thengti who has based his film In the name of Tai on the real-life incident of the gruesome killing of social activist Navleen Kumar in 2002. Thengti had given Gowarikar his first break as an actor in the Marathi film Vajir, way back in 1994. The director will be coming to watch the film today evening.

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Ashutosh Gowarikar and Ujjval Thengti

Thengti says, "It is the story of a very dear friend of mine, Navleen Kumar. She was my classmate. She had a great career ahead of us but instead chose to spend her life for the Adivasis and their development. I don't remember any woman ever fighting against the land mafia and she was probably the first lady to do so."

Navleen was brutally killed on June 19 in 2002. The director adds, "She had 19 stab wounds when her body was found and till date there is no justice for her. Through my film, I wish to tell people, the media and the political powers to do justice for her. We need one more incident like the Jessica Lal case to happen."

On the support that he has been receiving for his project, Thengti says, "Apart from Ashutosh who has come in my support, Dilip Vengsarkar has also extended his support and will be present. There are many more dignitaries. I do not want any other help apart from the fact that these dignified people are helping me take the case forward and create awareness about Navleen." u00a0