They allegedly raped and strangled 16 women, convicted in two cases of rape and murder, and are now being considered for a release after a 16 -year prison sentence. The documentary of Dutube, The Dupate Killer, Goa’s infamous serial killer, Mahanand Naik and his 16 victims revolutionary. But director Patrick Graham – who started his writing and direction with Gaul (2018), followed by Leela (2019) – noted that his attention was left to the victims, survivors and family, who were not criminals. Interestingly, many true crime stories have been written on the case Vijay Verma-S Star Dahad (2023) is also lax based on this. In a conversation with mid-day, Graham decoded why he does not like to focus on the culprit while chronicing such crimes, and why he took the case.
Excerpts edited by interview.
When did the idea of making a documentary on Mahananda Naik’s crimes?
Dokube was in contact with journalist Mukesh Kumar in Goa, who had investigated a lot on the matter. He also wrote a book on it. It was one of the worst serial-drawn cases in India. When the forum contacted me with the story, I read it to find out what I was interested in, and what I would be right [person] To do.
Mahanand Naik and journalist Mukesh Kumar
What is your curiosity in this case?
[I was keen] To know that a woman makes a woman sensitive to a person like Mahananda Naik. How does he hunt a particular sub -section of society? Another thing that I found interesting was was a survivor, a young woman she abused over the period of years. She was one of those who came forward and played an important role in putting it behind bars. Although his rape was passed in the trial court, he was released in the High Court. For me, it was a sad story because this woman, who did a lot, did not get justice.
Have you ever felt your feeling of justice coming on the way?
Sure. I am not trained as a journalist; I am a filmmaker and storyteller. This allows me to contact these things from my perspective. Therefore, I make an opinion and want to express them. But at the same time, keeping in mind that there is always a discussion and debate, whatever I think in relation to this matter, any of the documentary is shown in the documentary. I would like to think more as a conjunctival initial point.
Did you try to meet Mahananda Naik in jail?
Yes, but he did not want to interview as part of this documentary. We already had an interview with him which was conducted by our investigative journalist, Mukesh Kumar.
Since his impending release has been talked about, do you think he has changed?
It is a big question that we will leave the audience. This must be a panel of psychologists, police experts and forensic experts with training to decide. It is not necessary for the court of public opinion because people are emotional. Do I think a man who kills so systematically can change? Personally, I am not sure, but the difficult evidence we have is his personal view on these murders. He does not accept any of them. Some people will say that they have paid their dues and now there is no threat to society. This is a side of logic. For example, the father is Fernandez, who is working as a guarantor of Mahananda; He does not believe that Mahananda may be capable of such crimes, and says that God is forgiven. But the other side is also – if he has not accepted in his crimes, he has not apologized or has not shown repentance, then for me, this is an important point.
Why did you not go to Maa Manas in The Dock?
What we can do in one hour documentary is a limit. Sometimes, a lot of attention is paid to serial killers. The popular culture wrongly suggests that serial killers are bad genius. But I think they are just malfunction, broken humans. I am much more interested in victims, which makes them so weak compared to another reconsideration of an insight into a serial killer. Personally, I do not find serial killers interesting.
If the remaining and focus on the victims, why is it called a scarf killer?
It is the central driving force, which provokes the event. We did not have much when it came to analyze our behavior. There were no family members whom we could talk to. We can guess through criminals and psychologists, which we did. Mahananda becomes a stereotype at the end of the day.
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Women raped and strangled death