“Muslim Superstar Yes, But Lead Must Be Hindu”: Honey Trehan Makes Shocking Revelations About Bollywood Casting

Filmmaker and casting director Honey Trehan has made startling claims in a recent interview, shedding light on the biases and pressures in Bollywood. Speaking about his film Punjab 95, which has been stuck with the censor board for over a year, Trehan revealed how filmmakers are increasingly “fearful” when casting, saying that while Muslim actors may be cast, the lead role is usually given to a Hindu actor.

Casting Biases and Industry Fear
Trehan, who has 14 years of experience as a casting director, 10 years as a producer, and five years as a director, explained that large-budget films are now dictated by corporate priorities over creativity. He added that movies like Haider are nearly impossible to make today due to these pressures.

Trehan started his directing career with Netflix’s mystery film Raat Akeli Hai (2020), followed by its sequel Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders. His period-investigative thriller Punjab 95, based on the life of late human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra and starring Diljit Dosanjh in the lead, has faced delays with the censor board, with Trehan stating it received 127 cuts. He emphasized that his aim is not propaganda but protecting freedom of expression.

Censor Board and Government Pressures
Trehan compared his experience with Uda Punjab, another sensitive film, and criticized the censor board for allegedly trying to appease the government, using their authority to control narratives. He questioned why highly sensitive films like The Kashmir Files (2022), The Kerala Story (2023), and The Sabarmati Report (2024) were allowed tax-free releases, while Punjab 95 remains blocked.

On Religious Representation
Highlighting systemic bias, Trehan said, “Perhaps if I had shown a Muslim character as a villain, I might have received a standing ovation in Parliament like some recent films.” He added that while Muslim actors can play supporting roles, the lead often has to be Hindu, even if the story is about a Muslim protagonist. He recounted an incident where a true story about a Muslim lead was changed to a Hindu character due to the fear of backlash or political repercussions.

Storytelling Over Politics
Trehan concluded by stressing that his motivation is purely storytelling: “I am here to tell stories, not to advance a personal or political agenda. I cannot compromise my honesty with a project just to please someone or become a mouthpiece for political interests.”