A thought-provoking film, LAL SALAAM is based on true incidents relating to tribes, their culture and lifestyle.

Produced by Sanjiv Karambelkar and directed by Gaganvihari Borate, the film has music by Pt. Hridaynath Mangeshkar. It stars Nandita Das, Sharad Kapoor, Makrand Deshpande, Sayaji Shinde, Vijay Raj and Rajpal Yadav.

The story-idea:

Kanna (Sharad Kapoor) and Rupi (Nandita Das) are childhood lovers. Kanna, an intelligent person, is doing his final year M.B.B.S. in Nagpur. Everyone in the tribe is proud of him.

Kanna's brother Ghisu (Vijay Raj) is an illiterate, hot-tempered man who gradually gets fascinated by the Naxalites, headed by Rajayya (Makrand Deshpande). Kanna goes back to Nagpur to pursue his studies, but not before warning Ghisu that Naxalism is of no good.

Due to the atrocities committed by the Forest Ranger (Akhilendra Mishra), Ghisu becomes a Naxalite. The Ranger along with Inspector Deshpande (Sayaji Shinde) start harassing and torturing the helpless villagers in their desperate search for Ghisu.

One fine day, something dreadful happens and Rupi disappears. When Kanna returns to the village, his finds the two people he loves the most – Ghisu and Rupi – are no longer by his side. Like the rest of the villagers, Kanna starts believing that Rupi is dead.

But Rupi is alive and has joined the Naxalites. A few days later, she learns that Kanna has returned, but it's too late for her to go back to him.

The Naxalites start getting popular amongst tribals because of their ability to deliver instant justice. The government takes a serious note of the situation and sends a special task force to deal with the Naxals. What happens next?

LAL SALAAM is slated for release in March 2002.