The national broadcasting channel Doordarshan has rejected the streaming proposal for Sir Syed Ahmad Khan: The Messiah, the first-ever biopic on the founder of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).
The film, which was premiered by AMU Vice-Chancellor Naima Khatoon, was well received by the audience. However, in an official communication, a Doordarshan program executive stated, “I am directed to inform you that your proposal offering program based on Sir Syed Ahmad Khan could not qualify for streaming under revenue sharing mode on Prasar Bharati’s upcoming platform.”
Shoaib Choudhury, the producer and lead actor of the biopic, expressed his disappointment over the rejection. He pointed out that one of his previous productions had aired on Doordarshan for an extended period. “It is shocking that my biopic on Sir Syed, a leading reformist and educationist, has failed to qualify for streaming on the national OTT platform,” Choudhury said, alleging political interference behind the decision.
Mudassir Hayat, President of the AMU Old Boys Association (Delhi NCR), underscored the significance of the biopic for younger generations. “This biopic can help inspire the youth to view education as a tool for progress,” he said.
Viewers who attended the premiere described the film as “outstanding and impactful”, particularly for its relevance to contemporary Muslim issues and its emphasis on education. Critics argue that the rejection raises concerns about the intentions behind excluding a biopic on a renowned Muslim educationist from national broadcasting.
