NEW DELHI: While a private television channel had been refused permission to telecast a crime show based on this theme, a Bengali filmmaker inspired by the December protests over the gang rape of a 23-year-old trainee physiotherapist in New Delhi is hoping his film would help change people‘s mindset.

Milan Bhowmik says the message of his film is that anti-rape laws or street protests alone cannot stop a social menace, and the conscience of people needs to be changed.

Bhowmik‘s film, titled "Nirbhoya" in Bengali, is based on media reports of the incident and his meeting with the victim‘s family, although the film would have fictional characters in West Bengal.

He admitted that it was the Delhi gang rape and the huge protest that rocked the nation which inspired the film but said the protests also provoked him to think if such an agitation alone can stop the crime.

He also said incidents of rape had not shown a decline despite the protests and the change in law.

Bhowmik said the film would have shots of the bus cruising through the streets of New Delhi and passing through several police checkpoints.

While the filmmaker is little known outside West Bengal, the cast includes acting legend Soumitra Chatterjee.

Bhowmik said filming for "Nirbhoya" is scheduled to finish next month and it would open in cinemas within a couple of months.