In the bustling landscape of Indian cinema, a new actor is preparing to make his debut with a powerful statement. Himanshu Singh Rajawat is set to star in the upcoming action-drama film titled 'Sagwan', where he will be seen portraying the role of a police officer. However, ahead of its release, the film's title has sparked inevitable comparisons with the popular, often risqué, songs of Bhojpuri superstar Khesari Lal Yadav, known for using 'sagwan' (teakwood) as a double-meaning symbol.
A Direct Address to the Comparisons
In an exclusive conversation, Himanshu Singh Rajawat directly confronted these parallels. He acknowledged that the comparison was bound to happen, given the cultural baggage the word 'sagwan' now carries. "Until now, 'Sagwan' had mostly been used in songs to symbolise bedroom vulgarity and breaking beds," Rajawat stated. He pointed out that while a famous song by Khesari Lal Yadav may have amassed over 500 million views, it also reduced the strong teak wood to a crude symbol.
Rajawat clarified his film's divergent purpose. "I am coming with the same name, but my purpose is not to break beds — it is to challenge the blind faith spread by tantriks and criminals, and to awaken society," he asserted. The actor emphasized that he has no personal dispute with Khesari Lal Yadav but is taking issue with the type of content that dominates certain entertainment spheres. "My fight is with the kind of content that is dragging society backwards," he added, expressing concern over the mindset such songs create.
The Mission Behind 'Sagwan'
Rajawat positioned his film as a conscious effort to break away from the formula of vulgarity and cheap thrills. He critiqued not just Bhojpuri cinema but also the current trend on OTT platforms, where he believes power is often misused to sell nudity and abusive language. "Until you move beyond broken beds and double-meaning songs, what message are you really giving to the world?" he questioned.
He framed 'Sagwan' as part of a new awakening in Rajasthani cinema after 25 years, proving that hard-hitting, engaging stories can be told without relying on vulgarity. The film, he revealed, is rooted in reality and personal experience. "Rajawat’s film carries the pain of the uniform — pain he has personally experienced in remote forests," he shared. The narrative is based on real case files involving the tragic loss of innocent lives due to superstition and blind faith.
A Clean Film with a Strong Message
Providing concrete details about the project, Himanshu Singh Rajawat confirmed that 'Sagwan' is scheduled for release on January 16, 2026. In a significant achievement, the film has already received praise from the censor board for its clean content. "It is a sharp slap in the face of those filmmakers who claim that vulgarity is necessary to make a film work," Rajawat declared, highlighting that the movie contains not a single abusive word or any nudity.
The actor concluded by placing the choice squarely before the audience. He contrasted Khesari's song, which he described as offering nothing more than superficial entertainment, with the socially conscious narrative of his film. The ultimate question, as per Rajawat, is whether viewers want mere dance and spectacle or are ready to embrace cinema that sparks real social change.
