I was just so in awe of and respectful of NDTV's decision, very difficult decision for a broadcaster who has been told that broadcasting this film is now illegal, is somehow a shameful thing, to actually make that kind of statement ... was so admirable. I love NDTV. They are my heroes for doing this.

Filmmaker Leslee Udwin

Categorized in : Entertainment

Of course, the India government ban has ensured that this film now does proliferate on the Internet, but I have to tell you I am respectful of laws, in any country, and because there is a footprint of YouTube or torrents in India, it is my duty to bring that film off those channels and that is what I do, i will not break laws. I am respectful, I am moral, I have integrity, despite the witch hunt – this Salem-like witch hunt against me by those who are more interested in hiding their shame than saving their women.

Filmmaker Leslee Udwin

It wasn't the civil unrest that got me making this documentary. It was the protests, these momentous, courageous protests, you know, unprecedented numbers of people. Ordinary men and women in India who took to the streets across India's cities to cry, 'Enough is enough. We will not have our women unsafe. We will not have our women disrespected.' And for me, India was actually leading the world by example. This is what took me out there.

Filmmaker Leslee Udwin

But let us not forget, this is not India only, men have the balance of power in the world. We are underrepresented in governments. We don’t have equal rights in terms of implementation of laws. We don’t have equal pay. It's only a question of degree. And in many countries, we are so grossly offended against, our human rights are violated.

Filmmaker Leslee Udwin

Those early, hysterical, knee-jerk reactions in India were from people who had not seen the film. There was no copy of the film at that point.

Filmmaker Leslee Udwin