Debut with Victory (1998), Hansal Mehta made films concerning on the Indian judiciary, medical malpractice, immigrants and ordinary human lives in the city of Mumbai. Hansal’s early films reflected various subcultures that inhabit the culturally complex city of Mumbai, whille his later films that pandered to the mainstream sensibility. Disappointed with his output and his attempts to make films that did not reflect his independent sensibilities, Hansal went on an extended sabbatical to explore social work, rural life and new stories. Shahid (2012) is the result of this soul searching mission and a return to roots for Hansal. It is a deeply personal story that reflects Hansal’s anger and concern towards religious/class based/racial intolerance around the world.