'Hi Zindagi' Film Premiere Fuels Debate On Gender-Neutral Rape Laws In India
A Delhi High Court PIL and the film "Hi Zindagi" advocate for gender-neutral rape laws in India, challenging Section 63 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
A public interest litigation (PIL) filed in the Delhi High Court has sparked fresh debate on the need to make India’s rape law gender-neutral — an issue that the upcoming film Hi Zindagi also dares to tackle on screen.
The PIL, filed on October 29, 2025, urges amendments to Section 63 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which currently recognizes only women as rape victims. The matter has been clubbed with W.P. (CRL) 3274/2025, where the court has already issued notice to the Union of India on the inclusion of transgender persons under similar laws. Former Chief Justice U.U. Lalit had also publicly advocated for such inclusivity during a September 2025 address.
Mirroring this real-life legal debate, Hi Zindagi — directed by Ajay Ram and produced by Sunil Kumar Aggarwal — raises the same question through a powerful narrative: “Can men also be victims of sexual violence?” The film portrays a man’s silent suffering and lack of legal remedy, challenging the assumption that only women can be victims.
Producer Sunil Kumar Aggarwal, who is also an advocate by profession, shared that the film is not just entertainment — it’s a social message. “Through Hi Zindagi, I want to give voice to the pain and struggles of men who suffer silently. Just as women have laws protecting them from abuse, there should also be legal frameworks ensuring men’s protection and justice,” Aggarwal said.
He further added, “If a man is harassed by a woman, he should also have the right to file a complaint. Equality means fairness for all, irrespective of gender. Our society must acknowledge that men, too, deserve safety, respect, and emotional support.”
Shot in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, and starring Gaurav Singh, Garima Singh, Aayushi Tiwari, Somi Shree, Deepanshi, and Rishabh Sharma, Hi Zindagi blends social commentary with emotional drama. The film not only advocates for gender-neutral laws but also offers a deeper reflection on the meaning of life, equality, and coexistence.
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