Section 375 Movie – Full Details, Plot, Cast, Budget & Box Office
Section 375: Marzi Ya Zabardasti? is a 2019 Indian Hindi-language legal drama thriller based on the provisions of Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code, which defines rape and its legal interpretation in India. Wikipedia
🎥 Overview
- Title: Section 375: Marzi Ya Zabardasti? Wikipedia
- Genre: Legal thriller / courtroom drama Wikipedia
- Director: Ajay Bahl Wikipedia
- Writers: Manish Gupta & Ajay Bahl Wikipedia
- Producers: Kumar Mangat Pathak, Abhishek Pathak Wikipedia
- Music: Clinton Cerejo Wikipedia
- Cinematography: Sudhir K. Chaudhary Wikipedia
- Runtime: ~124 minutes Wikipedia
- Language: Hindi Wikipedia
- Release Date: 13 September 2019 in India Wikipedia
👩⚖️ Plot Summary
The movie revolves around a high-profile film director, Rohan Khurana, accused of rape by his assistant costume designer, Anjali Dangle. The case initially results in a conviction, but when it reaches the High Court, the sharp defence lawyer Tarun Saluja (Akshaye Khanna) exposes inconsistencies and hidden facts in evidence, suggesting a consensual relationship turned sour. Wikipedia
As the trial proceeds, both lawyers — Tarun for the defence and Hiral Gandhi (Richa Chadha) for the prosecution — battle not just legal arguments but societal biases, media pressure, and personal convictions. In the end, despite strong defence arguments, public pressure and legal standards influence the judicial verdict. Wikipedia
🧑🎤 Main Cast
- Akshaye Khanna as Advocate Tarun Saluja Wikipedia
- Richa Chadha as Hiral Gandhi, Public Prosecutor Wikipedia
- Meera Chopra as Anjali Dangle Wikipedia
- Rahul Bhat as Rohan Ravi Khurana Wikipedia
- Shriswara as Kainaz Khurana Wikipedia
- Sandhya Mridul as Shilpa Saluja Wikipedia
- Kruttika Desai, Kishor Kadam in judicial roles Wikipedia
💰 Budget & Production Costs
While the producers did not officially disclose the exact budget, industry estimates suggest:
- Estimated Total Budget: ~₹18 crore (including promotions) bollywoodsbuff.blogspot.com
- Production Costs: ~₹13 crore bollywoodsbuff.blogspot.com
- Marketing & Promotions: ~₹5 crore bollywoodsbuff.blogspot.com
These figures are industry estimates and not officially confirmed by the makers. bollywoodsbuff.blogspot.com
📈 Box Office & Earnings
Section 375 had a modest performance at the box office, especially compared with mainstream Bollywood entertainers released around the same time. Republic World+1
Domestic India Collections:
- Opening Day: ~₹1.45 crore Firstpost
- Opening Weekend: ~₹8.04 crore Firstpost
- Total India Nett: ~₹10.8–12.5 crore (various box office trackers) Republic World+1
International:
- Limited overseas earnings reported (approx. ~$17,000+ worldwide on some listings) The Numbers
Verdict:
By most estimates, the film did not recover its full theatrical costs and performed below commercial expectations — categorised by many trade analysts as a below-average or “flop” theatrical run. Grokipedia
🧠 Critical Reception
Critics praised the film for its thought-provoking script, gripping courtroom scenes, and strong performances by Akshaye Khanna and Richa Chadha. The Times of India
- Times of India rated it 4/5, highlighting its engaging courtroom drama and intelligent screenplay. The Times of India
- Reviewers appreciated the film’s balance in presenting legal complexities and societal viewpoints. The Times of India
- Some critics commented that despite solid performances, the sensitive subject and intense theme made it less appealing to mainstream audiences. The Times of India
IMDb user ratings also reflect positive viewer response, often above 8/10 in user scores. IMDb
🎬 Why This Film Matters
Section 375 stands out because it:
- Tackles a legally sensitive and socially relevant topic around consent and false accusations. The Times of India
- Raises debate on how law interprets rape and consent. The Times of India
- Combines courtroom intensity with real-world implications for the audience. The Times of India
📌 Conclusion
Section 375 is more than a courtroom drama — it’s a conversation starter on law, justice, and society’s response to sexual assault cases. While it did not become a big commercial hit, it gained critical respect for its performances and narrative depth. The Times of India
