Prisoner No. 626710 is present(2024)
Prisoner No. 626710 is Present chronicles the arrest and prolonged incarceration of activist Umar Khalid, accused of orchestrating the 2020 New Delhi riots. Through archival footage and personal accounts, Lalit Vachani explores Khalid's activism, the impact of his imprisonment on his partner Banojyotsna Lahiri, and the broader crackdown on dissent under the Modi government. The film situates Khalid’s story within the larger political repression of civil rights movements and Muslim voices in India.
Quick Facts
- Theatrical Release
- 13 September 2024
- Director
- Lalit Vachani
- Language
- Hindi
- Runtime
- 1h
Storyline
This documentary follows activist Umar Khalid, who was arrested and jailed for allegedly planning the 2020 Delhi riots. It uses old footage and interviews to show how his imprisonment affected his partner and highlights a wider government crackdown on protest and Muslim voices in India.
“A voice silenced. A nation's conscience on trial.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Trivia
- The film's title refers to the prison identification number assigned to Umar Khalid during his incarceration.
- Director Lalit Vachani is known for his documentary 'The Boy in the Branch', which also examines political themes in India.
- Much of the film's footage includes personal video diaries and messages recorded by Umar Khalid and his partner.
- The documentary was screened at film festivals like the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam before its wider release.
- It uses news archives and court documents to trace the legal case against Khalid, which has seen multiple bail denials.
- The film contrasts Khalid's public speeches as a student activist with the solitary confinement he later experienced.
- A key focus is on how Khalid's partner, Banojyotsna Lahiri, became a public advocate for his release while he was in jail.