Actress Mrunal Thakur attends special screening of Love Sonia in Kolkata

Mrunal played the lead role in the film.

The special screening was organised with Apne Aap Women Worldwide, which is a charitable trust in India.

The special screening of Love Sonia aimed to raise awareness on the perils of global sex trade and the rising vulnerabilities of the last girl.

Mrunal said: "I spent time walking the streets of Sonagachi with survivors of prostitution from Apne Aap. I saw their humanity in the middle of the all the exploitation. It has changed me forever. I saw prostitution is an absence of choice. I was able to play my role so well because of what I learnt from the women."

Remembering her experience from the shooting experience of the film, the 26-year old actress told IBNS, "I was living their life which was difficult but imagine there were so many girls who get sold and raped in each and every second. The thought itself gives me so much trauma that I despised male touch but the fact is that through this film, one can become a voice of so many voiceless (girls). I am glad their lives may get changed through my acting and profession (due to the film)."

Apne Aap founder Ruchira Gupta said: "The making of Love Sonia was unique. The director and actors spent time with survivors of prostition from my NGO, Apne Aap, treated them as knowledge experts and learned from them every step of the way. It has resulted in a film that truly reflects the dynamics of the global sex trade."

Love Sonia was released on Sept 14, 2018.