15 Years of No One Killed Jessica: Director Raj Kumar Gupta Reflects on Writing Process and Its Enduring Impact

Ziya Khan January 8, 2026Last Updated: January 8, 2026

No One Killed Jessica (2011), starring Rani Mukerji and Vidya Balan, marked its 15th anniversary on January 7. Directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, this film was his second after the critically acclaimed Aamir (2011) and has remained memorable for many reasons. Bringing together two powerhouse actresses, the film brought widespread attention to the Jessica Lall murder case and redefined female-centric cinema in Bollywood.

It was one of the first female-driven films to succeed at the box office, inspiring many filmmakers to take on similar projects. Notably, it broke the notorious “first Friday of the year” jinx—a feat unmatched since 2011. The last to do so before it was Aastha (1997), starring Rekha and Om Puri.

Rani Mukerji’s fearless portrayal of Meera, alongside Vidya Balan’s determined sister fighting for justice, left a deep impact. Vidya’s success with this film paved the way for her acclaimed roles in The Dirty Picture (2011) and Kahaani (2012), the latter’s release reportedly expedited by the success of No One Killed Jessica.As the sole writer and director, Raj Kumar Gupta’s contribution remains vital. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, he shared insights into the film’s creation.

When asked about choosing such a subject after Aamir, Raj explained, “I was exploring different ideas, and this one intrigued me the most. I was in college in Delhi when the Jessica Lall incident happened, and it left a deep impression on me. Though the case was extensively covered by media and documentaries, I felt compelled to tell the story from a fresh perspective.”He recounted his research process: “I spent about one and a half to two months gathering information and met late Sabrina Lal and others close to the case.

Their experiences gave me personal insights crucial to shaping the screenplay. ”The vastness of the material initially overwhelmed him. “I took a month’s break, unsure if I could adapt it. But when I started writing the prologue where Meera talks about Delhi I connected deeply with the city’s character, just like Mumbai was a character in Aamir. By page nine or ten, I knew I could make this film. ”Raj revealed that he wrote the script in seclusion, “I booked a cabin atop a hill in Himachal Pradesh and completed the script in 2-3 months.