The Film is a True Story of an Ordinary Man’s Fight Against One of America’s Biggest False Arrest Scandals.
Our Bureau
Toronto
USA v RAJ, a gripping cinematic retelling of the harrowing real-life story of Dr. Raj Bothra, is set to begin production, with a global release slated for Summer 2026. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker and cinematographer Ravi K. Chandran, the film promises to uncover the shocking truth behind one of the largest false arrest and wrongful imprisonment scandals in modern American history.
Based on the compelling book “USA v/s RAJ”, unveiled by notable film director Ramesh Sippy of the film Sholay during TIFF 2025, the film follows the extraordinary journey of Dr. Raj Bothra, a renowned Indian-American surgeon, humanitarian, and public servant, who found himself at the center of a politically charged and deeply flawed federal case. At the age of 79, Dr. Raj was arrested and charged with 54 counts, each carrying a potential sentence of 20 years. After spending 1301 days in prison, denied bail multiple times, Dr. Raj was ultimately acquitted following a Trial by Jury.
This deeply moving story is not just about a legal battle—it is about the resilience of an ordinary man whose life was upended by systemic failures. USA v RAJ exposes the trauma and injustices faced by Dr. Bothra and his family, but it also highlights the strength of the human spirit and the pursuit of truth, no matter the cost.
Veteran actor Kabir Bedi stars in the powerful lead role as Dr. Raj Bothra, bringing gravitas and emotional depth to the portrayal of a man unjustly accused and imprisoned. Award-winning Indian-American actress Emily Shah plays Sonia Bothra, Dr. Raj’s devoted daughter, who stood by him through the entire legal ordeal, showing unwavering strength in the face of overwhelming adversity.
The film assembles an internationally renowned creative team, including Oscar®-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty, whose immersive sound design will lend depth and realism to this intense legal drama.
Produced by Prashant Shah, the visionary CEO of Bollywood Hollywood Productions and Managing Partner and Director at Twickenham Productions, London, USA v RAJ continues Shah’s legacy of cross-cultural filmmaking, blending global storytelling with emotional resonance. Shah’s leadership promises a film that will not only captivate audiences but also start important conversations around justice, systemic flaws, and the cost of truth.
“This is more than just a legal drama,” says director Ravi K. Chandran. “It’s a human story about integrity, family, emotions and the cost of systemic failure. It’s time the world sees what really happened.”
Book is Authored by Dr. Raj Bothra, co-authored by Jenifer DeBellis. Script, Screenplay, Dialogues inked by Zill-e-Huma, Shubho Deep Pal, Hussain Dalal, Abbas Dalal.
Principal photography will take place at the award-winning Twickenham Studios, as well as across the United Kingdom and India, with casting and pre-production already underway. The movie is expected to deliver an emotional and powerful viewing experience, one that reflects not only the flaws in the system but the triumph of a family fighting against injustice.
USA v RAJ is more than a movie — it is a wake-up call, a reflection of truth, and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
About Bollywood Hollywood Productions
Founded by Prashant Shah, Bollywood Hollywood Productions is a global film production company committed to creating high-quality films that bridge cultures and tell universal stories of human resilience and triumph. With a focus on cross-cultural collaboration, the company brings fresh perspectives to both Indian and international audiences.
About Twickenham Productions
Based in London, content division of Twickenham Studios is one of the world’s most prestigious film studios, offering state-of-the-art production and post-production facilities for top-tier filmmakers. Known for its excellence, the studio has played a pivotal role in numerous critically acclaimed films. Winner of 3 Oscars and Bafta in past 5 years for the best sound design.
Book Launch Details:
Title: USA v Raj
Author: Dr. Raj Bothra, Jenifer DeBellis
Release Date: September 10 2025
Available at: Bookstores, Amazon, Website, etc.
Launch Event: September 10, 1pm, Toronto
About The Author Dr. Raj Bothra For two decades Dr Raj spent a month each year in India at his own expense to bring awareness on issues like Drug Abuse, HIV AIDS and Smoking Tobacco. For that he was awarded the highest honor Padma Shri by the President of India. He produced educational do pantries on HIV AIDS, Smoking. De travelled across the country to bring awareness on these issues. He worked with Mother Teresa and had the opportunity to brief Pope John Paul I at the Vatican on health issues in third world countries. He ran Nargis Dutt Charity foundation for a decade to provide state of the art medical equipment to multiple hospitals in India. Here in America and in India he participated in political discourses and wrote multiple papers on various medical and political issues. He worked for two countries he loves most- INDIA and U.S.A. He was wrongly imprisoned by the federal government for 1301 days without trial. On June 29th, 2022 he was acquitted unanimously by a Jury of 12 common men and women. Nothing else was fair or just in the U.S. judicial system. The culture of “Winning At Any Cost” is so pervasive that justice has become blind. This book is to bring awareness and some common-sense proposals to bring in changes that no person has to spend 1301 days and eventually declared innocent by Jury.
Co-Author Jenifer DeBellis, MFA, is a transformational speaker, PhD candidate, and award-winning author of Warrior Sister, Cut Yourself Free (Library Tales Publishing), New Wilderness (Cornerstone Press), and Blood Sisters (Main Street Rag). She hosts the Restore Your Inner Warrior® Podcast, edits Pink Panther Magazine, and directs the Detroit Writers’ Guild (501c3). She’s featured in Psychology Today and her writing appears in CALYX, Medical Literary Messenger, The Good Men Project, Solstice, and elsewhere. Visit JeniferDeBellis.com for more details.
