Mulk is a 2018 Indian crime drama film directed by Anubhav Sinha and starring Rishi Kapoor, Taapsee Pannu, Prateik Babbar, Rajat Kapoor, Ashutosh Rana and Neena Gupta. The film examines the impact of terrorism on a Muslim family living in a Hindu majority neighborhood in the city of Benaras.
The story revolves around a joint family headed by Advocate Murad Ali Mohammed (Rishi Kapoor) and his wife Badi Tabassum (Neena Gupta). They have two sons and a daughter. Murad is a respected member of his community, and they have Hindu friends, including a police officer, Danish Javed (Rajat Kapoor).
One day, the youngest son Shahid (Prateik Babbar), who had left home years ago to join the jihad movement, returns with a group of terrorists and plants a bomb in a crowded Hindu temple, killing several innocent people. The family, especially Murad, struggles to come to terms with Shahid’s actions, which have tarnished their reputation and made them targets of hate and prejudice.
The Muslim community disowns them, and the Hindu community demands that they leave the city. The family feels isolated and alone, but they refuse to accept the blame for their son’s heinous crime. They approach Danish Javed to help clear their name and prove that they are not anti-nationals.
The film explores the themes of religious intolerance, communal prejudice, and terrorism. It raises questions about the power of stereotypes, the need for dialogue, and the importance of recognising that not all Muslims are terrorists. Mulk is a powerful statement against bigotry and hate, and a reminder that humanity must unite to fight against terrorism, regardless of religion, race, or ethnicity.
