Five years on, the message of Anubhav Sinha’s Mulk resonates stronger than ever

However, this harmony is swiftly shattered when Murad’s nephew Shahid (Prateik Babar) gets involved in a terrorist act that claims 16 lives. Shahid’s father Bilal (Manoj Pahwa) is implicated in aiding and abetting the attack. In a disturbingly rapid turn of events, the façade of peace and unity in Murad’s locality crumbles and his friends, who once gathered at his place to eat kebabs and dance to the beat of a dhol, now turn against his family, labelling the whole family as terrorists. The sudden change in their behaviour shows how they were living with prejudice in their hearts while maintaining a facade of brotherhood. And when their doubts were seemingly confirmed, they quickly abandoned reason and embraced hatred without seeking the truth.

Yet, this hostility does not arise spontaneously. It’s a systematic change in mindset and the influence of social media, along with polarising political debates play a big role in it. Mulk uses the small character of an aimless youth from Murad’s neighbourhood to show us the same. This young man, disinterested in managing his father’s modest shop, finds newfound significance upon joining a political party that assigns him the role of protecting his religion. He deems himself the flag bearer of his religion and spews hatred towards his neighbour without any proof.

However, it is not only Murad’s neighbours who see his family as potential terrorists. Even within the courtroom where Murad seeks justice for his brother, prejudiced notions persist. The judge fails to take him seriously and is visibly partial towards the public prosecutor Santosh Anand (Ashutosh Rana). Murad is reduced to a religious identity rather than seen as an individual.

In another instance, the film deftly exposes the pitfalls of media trials and how they can sway public opinion. In a scene from the film, Santosh Anand candidly says, “Aaj kal khali court ki behes se prabhav nahi padta, TV debate mein kya chal raha hai, akhbar mein kya print ho raha hai, social media pe kya chal raha hai, inn sab baaton ka bahut prabhav padta hai case pe (These days the discussions in court doesn’t have much influence. What is running on the TV, printed in newspapers and running on social media has a huge influence on the case).”

The stark parallels between the film’s narrative and our current reality are impossible to ignore. Apart from pointing out the fractures within our society, Mulk doesn’t shy away from scrutinising the blind religious devotion. When people write, “Go back to Pakistan,” on the wall of Murad’s house, Muslims with extremist mindsets ask him to join forces against them. In response, Murad points out the hypocrisy of those who celebrate Pakistan’s victories while accusing others of disloyalty.

Mulk does not delve into the divisive political landscape of the nation and avoids taking any side. It rather chooses to explore its dangerous impact on individual mindsets and how it can quickly spur into communal hatred. The film completed five years of release today, but the resonance of its brave writing grows louder and louder.