Abhishek Kapoor's Kedarnath is impressive. When you consider how right-wing, fascist forces are taking over India, and taking the law into their own hands, it is remarkable how Bollywood is standing up to the goons. Since the Gujarat riots of 2002, when right-wingers massacred 790 Muslims, many more have been killed, including in the riots of Muzaffarnagar, and Pehlu Khan and Mohammad Akhlaq cases. Just last week, in Bulandshahr, UP, gau rakshaks shot dead a police inspector, Subodh Kumar Singh, and burnt down the police station.

There is growing 'cow vigilantism,' 'love jihad' and worse, often with impunity from the law. In such a fraught atmosphere, it is extremely courageous for a Bollywood film to conscientiously call out communal politics, and underline India's long secular traditions, knowing the film will be vulnerable to pressure from politicians, the censor board, and Department of Hurt Sentiments blackmailers in court. (Both the Bombay High Court and Gujarat High Court dismissed pleas to ban the film, bravo!) So, first, a salute to Kedarnath, directed by Kapoor, and produced by Ronnie Screwvala and Kapoor.