India, Dec. 31 -- Follower, the debut feature from Harshad Nalawade, wants to ask the tough questions with grace. At its centre stands Raghu (Raghu Prakash), a radicalised journalist, who follows a local leader and believes that his community has been wronged. He refuses to hear a word against him, as the line between his professional and personal life starts to blur.

In an exclusive interaction with HT, the filmmaker opened up about the origin story behind the film, his concerns for independent films to coexist with mainstream releases, and why he believes the cinema-going audience knows much more than what we give them credit for. (Excerpts).

Is Raghu inspired by real life? Has he seen someone like him in his surroundings? Nalawade sa...