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Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj has confirmed he is developing a Rashomon-style film inspired by the Tarun Tejpal rape case after the Bombay High Court convicted the former Tehelka editor

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.