Sometimes when you live so long with a story, it is easy to forget the time that has passed. “It actually began in 2014-15 when a friend of mine came to me with Reyhaneh’s [Jabbari] published letters,” shares director Faezeh Jalali. Jabbari was a 19-year-old Iranian woman whose trial against sexual abuse in Iran became the subject of films, novels, and art. Dario Fo dedicated a canvas to her. For Jalali, it resulted in the creation of 07/07/07 that won the META award for Best Ensemble back in 2016.

(From left) Abhishek Saha, Junaid Khan and Devika Shahani during a rehearsal of Strictly Unconventional. Pics Courtesy/Faezeh Jalali

Jabbari’s story is one of heartbreaking trauma, yet familiar and resonant. Jabbari was accused of killing an Iranian officer of state in self-defence when he tried to take advantage of her. After 10 years, the story carries resonance for women across the world even today. “There have been times when I have thought we should close the play and move on, but the actors and often cast members would step in to say ‘No, there is something more to be said’. It is the specificity that makes her story universal,” shares Jalali. Every new incident and report in the news only supports this claim.