"I have noticed that there is a lot of controversy around 'Article 15'. I would like to maintain to everyone who is protesting and claiming that the film is anti-Brahmin, please see the film. Our film does not take any sides, has no intention to showcase any community in bad light and it has been censored by the censor board who have their own set of guidelines of seeing a film," Ayushmann said in a statement.
The film, directed by Anubhav Sinha, earned the ire of the Brahmin community in Uttar Pradesh over the fact that the story has been "tweaked". With the intention of portraying the accused men as Brahmins, they feel it will defame the community.
The trailer of the film, which was released in May, shows two young girls of a village brutally raped and murdered, their bodies hanging from a tree. It shows the girls whose families are marginalised and forced to work as labourers were targeted because they demanded a hike of Rs 3, in their daily wages.
The film depicts how caste equations are prevalent in the area.
"Article 15" is a content-driven film on the subject of discrimination itself.
"Our film is 'inspired' by real events and it is not based on a particular event. It is an amalgamation of a series of events happening in our country. Yes, it's hard hitting and it will make you uncomfortable but it's a real film," he added.
Ayushmann says it's an "investigative drama and a very relevant film for India and it's youth".
"I only urge everyone to watch the film and not make any assumptions on the director's vision and intent," he said.
The film also stars Isha Talwar, Sayani Gupta, Kumud Mishra, M Nassar, Ashish Verma, Sushil Pandey, Shubrajyoti Bharat, Ronjini Chakraborty and Zeeshan Ayyub.
It is slated to hit the theatres on June 28.
( With inputs from IANS )