1 Manoj Bajpayee and Rajkummar Rao
Manoj Bajpayee is one of the most talented actors in Indian cinema. His portrayal of the sensitive, poetic Professor Siras will leave audiences struggling to believe this is the same actor who played the ferocious, and lecherous Sardar Khan. Playing fiddle to Manoj Bajpayee is Hansal Mehta protege, Rajkummar Rao. The actor has scaled the peaks of his art with films like Shahid, Citylights and Kai Po Che. In Aligarh, he plays the smart alec, friendly journalist Deepu who forms a moving friendship with Prof. Siras.
2 Editing
With its sensitive handling of a very controversial topic, Aligarh has laid a new benchmark for editing in Indian films. Its editing is helmed by Apurva Asrani. Asrani, winner of the Filmfare award for Editing for Satya, has also worked with Hansal Mehta in Shahid and Citylights. The slow, gentle buildup to the climax of the film is timed impeccably in Asrani's capable hands.
3 A sensitive story
Aligarh is a film that dives headfirst into issues like privacy, individual rights, human rights of gay and lesbians. The film takes a strong and unequivocal stand on gay rights and the treatment of these individuals in Indian society.
4 The team of Shahid returns
Hansal Mehta, Rajkummar Rao, Apurva Asrani have worked together in two National Award winning films - Shahid and Citylights. Manoj Bajpayee has worked with Hansal Mehta before in 'Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar, and made his debut with Apurva Asrani in Ram Gopal Varma's iconic Satya. Aligarh has brought together this whole team under one single project. Talk about a talent powerhouse!
5 Dialogues
Make no mistake! This is not Gangs of Wasseypur. There are no bullet dialogues filled with bravado. Just sensitive ones. The lines, scripted by Hansal Mehta and Apurva Asrani, touch your heart with their direct questioning. For instance, when Prof. Siras is asked if he is gay, he says 'Koi mere feelings ko teen aksharon me kaise samajh sakta hai...' Beautiful, moving and poetic! The film is embedded with lines that will stay with you long after you leave the cinema hall.