Feb 28, 2015 In late 2002, while filming in Gujarat for Final Solution, I found myself back at the Shah Alam Dargah. From March, for the next few months, before the refugee camps were shut down, the Dargah had provided shelter to displaced families from all parts of Ahmedabad city. While chatting with the Sajjadanasheen (the traditional Qawwal families who live and perform within the Dargah premises), I asked him - aapne dhamaal ke baad kuchh naya likha kya? (Have you written anything new post-riots). This was really the debut performance for this qawwali, more like a first proper rehearsal. Since Final Solution was already quite long, I excluded it from the film. Years later, I edited it - today, Feb 28, I'm releasing it online, on the anniversary of the Gujarat carnage, as a homage to the victims of the S-6 coach and those killed in the organised mob violence that followed. Principal filming is over: currently in postproduction. The editing is delayed for lack of funds. We've just issued an appeal for crowdfunding. Write to rakeshs.distribution@gmail.com to lend your support and solidarity.
