Meryl Streep backs rape documentary 'India's Daughter' for an Oscar nod

Following its release this year, the controversial BBC documentary India's Daughter centered on the horrific Delhi-bus rape case, is being backed by Hollywood leading actor Meryl Streep for an Academy Award, reported The Telegraph.

Directed by Leslie Udwin, the film reportedly banned across India was released in New York on Wednesday night.

Based on the rape case of 23-year-old Jyoti Singh, which stirred everyone across the globe and led to violent protests, the film presents accounts of the victim's family and friends, the perpetrators, human right activists as well as lawyers who handled the case.

When Streep introduced the documentary before its US theatrical release, however, she stressed on the importance of an Oscar for the film: "I'm on the campaign now to get her nominated for best documentary," said Streep about Udwin's work.

The hour long documentary delves deeper into the case by speaking with the perpetrators, one of whom said he felt no remorse. Indian authorities allegedly accused the the filmmaker for violating privacy by visiting the perpetrator in confinement as permission was not granted, which sparked the ban.

The film's ban in India also caused many to speak up against the censorship of such issues as many were shocked to see no remorse from abuser's side as well as the lawyers who defended his case.

Many were flabbergasted after watching India's Daughter: "When I first saw [the film] I couldn't speak afterwards," Streep said.

The sole witness of Delhi bus gang-rape also called the BBC documentary 'fake' earlier in March.