Bollywood Mumbai Siege Film Opens, The Attacks Of 26/11

 A controversial Bollywood film based on the 2008 Mumbai attacks has opened in cinemas in India.

The Attacks Of 26/11 reconstructs the 60-hour siege by Islamist gunmen which left 166 people dead.

Director Ram Gopal Varma, a Bollywood veteran known for his gangster and horror films, said the film would not pull any punches.

"Pretty much everyone knows what happened, but they don't know how it happened. The film is very dark and violent. There's no entertainment," said the film-maker.

The events are largely based on information from eyewitnesses and police reports, but Varma insists the film conveys the "emotional aspect" of the story and explores how just 10 gunmen were able to lay siege to the city.

The attacks targeted luxury hotels, a hospital and a cafe, a busy train station and a Jewish centre.

However, some say it is not the right time to re-awaken memories of the killing and question Varma's ability to handle the topic sensitively, especially as his recent films have been slated.  One young survivor, 14-year-old Devika Rotwan, who was shot in the leg, believes the film's release will be difficult for those caught up in the attacks.

"It is bad for people like me, who are trying to forget things and lead a normal life," she said.

However, Indian acting great Amitabh Bachchan has spoken up in favour of the movie.

The Bollywood veteran tweeted that it was "infinitely precise" in its research and that he was "choked with tears".

The film's director caused controversy just days after the 2008 attacks when he was seen touring burnt-out sections of the Taj Mahal hotel.

The film-maker has repeatedly denied that he was there with a future movie in mind.

He has also been criticised for holding the launch of the film's songs at the Leopold Cafe, one of the places targeted in the attacks.

The only gunman to survive, Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, was hanged in November for a number of offences including waging war against India, murder and terrorist acts.