Escape from Taliban(2003)
Escape from Taliban is a 2003 Indian Hindi-language drama film directed by Ujjwal Chatterjee. It stars Manisha Koirala, Nawab Shah, Vineeta Malik, and Prithvi Zutshi. The film is based on the true story of Sushmita Banerjee, a Bengali Hindu woman who fled Afghanistan in 1995 to escape a Taliban death sentence. It depicts her marriage to an Afghan businessman, her life under Taliban rule, and her daring escape disguised as a man. The film was shot in Jaisalmer, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Ladakh. It received mixed reviews but was noted for its timely subject and Koirala's performance. The film was released on 14 February 2003.
Quick Facts
- Theatrical Release
- 1 January 2003
- Director
- Ujjal Chatterjee
- Language
- Hindi
- Runtime
- 2h 13m
- Rating
- 4.9/10
Storyline
A Bengali woman marries an Afghan man and moves to Afghanistan. When the Taliban take over, they order her to convert to Islam or die. She refuses and must find a way to escape the country before the militants catch her.
“One woman's fight for freedom”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Trivia
- The film was inspired by the real-life story of an Indian woman named Sushmita Bandhopadhyay, who wrote a memoir about escaping the Taliban.
- It was shot in difficult conditions, with some scenes filmed in remote locations to mimic Afghanistan's terrain.
- This was one of the few Bollywood films at the time to directly address the Taliban regime and its impact on civilians.
- The movie faced criticism for its portrayal of religious and cultural tensions, sparking debate in India.
- Despite its serious subject, it had a limited theatrical release and is not widely remembered today.
- The director, Ujjal Chatterjee, primarily worked in Bengali cinema, making this a rare Hindi-language venture for him.
- Some promotional material highlighted the film as a 'true story,' though it took creative liberties for dramatic effect.