Mumbai, April 2 (NationPress) Filmmaker and producer Raaj Shaandilyaa is preparing to finance the upcoming film ‘The Verdict 498A’, which is inspired by the life of Deeptanshu Shukla, an engineer-turned-advocate who dedicated his life to combat the widespread misuse of Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code.

This film will also introduce Bengali director Anindya Bikas Datta to Hindi cinema. The film’s creators have obtained the life rights of Deeptanshu Shukla to authentically portray his story. The narrative will highlight how false dowry harassment claims have become a means of legal exploitation, resulting in fractured families, wrongful incarcerations, and tragic suicides.

Discussing the film, Raaj Shaandilyaa stated, “This is not merely Deeptanshu’s story; it represents the plight of countless families suffering in silence, overwhelmed by a system that has weaponized justice. We must not permit innocent lives to be destroyed under the pretense of protecting women. True equity requires justice for everyone. Atul Subhash’sDeeptanshu did.”

He further expressed, “Life is a divine gift; do not allow lies to rob you of it. Defend your family, resist, and together we must eradicate the devastating misuse of this law. India is a democratic country, and it’s time to reform our judicial system to ensure impartiality and prevent favoritism towards any specific gender. I implore the Government of India to enact stringent measures against those who exploit the law in the name of justice. My humble request to the Honorable Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, is that our nation urgently needs a Men's Protection Act. Justice must not be selective; it should be equitable for all.”

Although Section 498A was established to safeguard women against domestic violence and dowry harassment, its rampant misuse has caused immense suffering for innocent men and their families. The repercussions extend beyond the accused groom to his entire family, implicating mothers, sisters, daughters, and even elderly women in unfounded cases that subject them to prolonged legal struggles.

The heart-wrenching stories of Atul Subhash, Manav Sharma, Puneet Khurana, Petaru Gollapalli, and Nishant Tripathi starkly illustrate that many men opt for suicide rather than face the humiliation and trauma of false accusations.

Deeptanshu Shukla’s journey is one of resilience and defiance. After graduating as an engineer from IIT Kanpur, his life dramatically changed when he was falsely accused under Section 498A. Instead of succumbing to injustice and the clout of powerful political figures, he sought to understand the law to retaliate. He subsequently studied law to become the advocate for innocent men ensnared in legal turmoil.

Director Anindya Bikas Datta remarked, “False allegations devastate not only the accused but entire families. A single fabricated case can drive a man to contemplate suicide. It’s time for society to awaken and demand a more just system.”

‘The Verdict 498A’ is set to begin filming soon. It will be produced under Kathavachak Films, overseen by Raaj Shaandilyaa and Vimal Laho. The film will be produced in Hindi and released in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada.