Left to right- Dr Raj Bothra, director Ramesh Sippy and Kabir Bedi at the release of 'USA vs Raj'. / Pictures by Maninder K. Chandhoke

It is not fiction. It is a real life drama where an individual, a professional, stood by his ideals and brought the mightiest of the nations of the world on its knees. 

It is the story of a doctor of Indian descent who withstood the onslaughts of the criminal system of the most powerful nation of the world, the United States, for a little over than three years, before coming out clean of all legal adjudications. He may have suffered immensely, both physically and mentally, but the ultimate triumph, vindication of his professional uprightness, has been so overwhelming that he now wants to share his story with the world.

And the story will be narrated by none other than Veteran actor Kabir Bedi 'Sandokan' ('Octopussy') who is all set to play as Dr. Raj Bothra, the hero of USA vs Raj, a biographical drama about an Indian-American surgeon’s three-and-a-half-year imprisonment that ended in full acquittal.

And all these revelations were made as a part of the ongoing Toronto International Film Festival that has brought together the elite and cream of the world cinema on a single platform.

The presser saw Neha Mehta and Sunil Hali introducing the cast and the authors besides the family members of Dr Raj Bothra.

Present at the release of 'USA vs Raj' biography by Dr Raj Bothra and co-author Jennifer Debellis, were Ramesh Sippy of 'Sholay' fame and Hollywood and Bollywood iconic star Kabir Bedi. The story of “wrongful doing of a powerful state that have shaken the foundations of public trust in the justice system with a harrowing account of one of the most shocking false arrest and continuous imprisonment of a doctor of Indian origin, it was announced would be rolled into a film. 

Emily Shah joins the cast as Sonia Bothra, playing the physician’s daughter who stood by him during the legal battle. The film, an adaption of 'USA v/s Raj,' was presented at this year’s Toronto Film Festival by 'Sholay' director Ramesh Sippy and 'Fire' filmmaker Deepa Mehta.

Interestingly, the film that is all set for a next year release, has Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty of the Slumdog Millionaire fame heading the technical team while Zill-e-Huma, Shubho Deep Pal, Hussain Dalal and Abbas Dalal have been mandated to work on the script of the film.

Prashant Shah of Bollywood Hollywood Productions will work with London’s Twickenham Productions. Sunny Vohra and Superna Sethi of Twickenham Studios will be the executive producers. 

The film, directed and shot by Ravi K. Chandran ('Bhramam') and targeting a summer 2026 release, will tell the story of Dr. Raj Bothra, who faced 54 federal charges at age 79 before being cleared by a unanimous jury verdict in June 2022. The doctor spent more than 1,300 days incarcerated while repeatedly denied bail. 

In a powerful and unflinching debut, USA v Raj is set to shake the foundations of public trust in the justice system with a harrowing account of one of the most shocking false arrest and imprisonment cases in recent U.S. history. This tell-all memoir, based on a true story, is more than a personal narrative—it’s a bold exposé on systemic abuse, prosecutorial overreach, and the resilience of the human spirit.

USA v Raj dares to share the truth behind a nearly four-year-long nightmare endured by a respected Indian-American surgeon and interventional pain specialist who found himself at the centre of a federal scandal. Wrongfully indicted, falsely imprisoned for 1,301 days, and subjected to inhumane treatment, Raj fought an uphill battle that culminated in a unanimous jury acquittal—a rare and resounding vindication. 

“This isn’t just my story,” says Raj, “it’s the story of what can happen when power goes unchecked, when the government’s obsession with ‘winning’ overrides truth and justice. But it’s also about faith, perseverance, and never giving up—even in the face of darkness.” 

From humble beginnings in India to achieving the American dream through hard work and integrity, USA v Raj retraces a journey that was nearly destroyed by a corrupt system. Yet, through the injustice, Raj emerges not broken, but emboldened—an advocate for truth, justice reform, and the protection of the innocent.

This memoir is both a cautionary tale and an inspiring testament to the strength of character in the face of unimaginable adversity. Readers will be gripped by the twists and turns of Raj’s legal and emotional battle, and inspired by his enduring gratitude and unwavering faith.

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 honour Padma Shri by the President of India. He produced educational do pantries on HIV AIDS, Smoking. He 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 29, 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, 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. For more information visit JeniferDeBellis.com.

 

 

Speakers at the book launch. / Pictures by Maninder K. Chandhoke

Dr Raj Bothra, who moved to the US, and started practicing medicine, narrated hist story saying one fine morning he was shocked when gun trotting cops told him he was arrested. He was taken to a police station where four other co-accused, too, were brought. 

“All were released on bail the same day. They, however, refused me bail not once but nine times and imprisoned me for more than three years without letting me know why I was being singled out as all fellow co-accused very enlarged on bail the first day. 

“They wanted to extort a confession out of me that I refused. I stood strong and underwent untold misery and suffering while being imprisoned. I could not trust such a thing could happen in a country like the US. I had one of the largest private practice in the US. The police made 54 charges against me with each of charge could send me to imprisonment for 20 years. 

“They even tried to pressurise my wife, Pammi, and daughter Sonia but I stood firm.

“Ultimately, when the trial went to jury I was acquitted of all charges and came out clean.

“My only question was could the system return my years in prison,” said Dr Raj Bothra at the book release event. 

Dr. Bothra, who received India’s Padma Shri honour for his humanitarian efforts, previously collaborated with Mother Teresa and advised Pope John Paul II on global health issues. He also led charitable medical initiatives providing equipment to Indian hospitals.