The Night Of January 16th

At one level it`s a murder mystery but the main focus is a typical Ayn Rand style of dramatic objectification of human strength and weakness. The author of Atlas shrugged and THE FOUNTAINHEAD has created an intense courtroom situation that scans the rags to riches story of a brilliant and ruthless man. The man is represented by a mistress who the jury will decide is guilty or not.

In our Indian adaptation, Raquib Ahmed is the quintessential Ayn Rand hero who is an exporter of leather . He started as an errand boy from Calcutta`s Tiljala leather factories. His ruthless ambition ensures he has a pent house on the top of the 20 floor of Ahmed Enterprise , at the Nariman Point, next to the Nariman Towers.

Laura Andrea, the Anglo Indian secretary to Raquib Ahmed is suspected to have killed Ahmed and the public prosecutor Rita Khanna leaves no stones unturned to influence the jury. Defence Lawyer Waquar Hussain fights the case for Laura Andrea.

When Anuradha Singhania Ahmed, Raquib's legal wife and her influential brother Neeraj Singhania share their testimony, we learn why Neeraj swallowed pride and allowed a Muslim from Calcutta`s Tiljaja to marry his sister. Neeraj is the heir to the Singhania Constructors, an envy for all other construction firm in the country.

Since 1960, this is the first time in India that a jury will decide the fate of the accused because of a special amendment sanctioned by the Supreme Court. The case is being heard at The Bombay High Court.

Your verdict will count. Is Laura Andrea, the ambitious woman who was raped by her employer on the very first day of her appointment, guilty of the life she chose to live? Can ethics be compromised for ambition? Is she guilty? Not guilty? You decide.