MUMBAI: Among the legions of mourners who are commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussain , grandson of the Prophet, in the current month of Muharram, are his Hindu followers—the Hussaini Brahmins.

Legend has it that a Brahmin named Rahab travelled from his native Punjab to Arabia and became a disciple of Hussain. In the battle of Karbala in the 7th century, Rahab fought along with Hussain, against the army of Yazid, a tyrant king who had usurped power. Rahab had many sons, some of whom were killed in the battle.

After the battle, Rahab, along with his surviving sons, returned to India.

The descendants of Rahab then came to be known as Hussaini Brahmins.

A UK-based NRI, Shamsuddin Agha, is now capturing the story of Hussaini Brahmins’ devotion to the Imam in a documentary. “They are Hindus but revere Imam Hussain so much that they observe Muharram in great solemnity. I am touched by their love and respect for the Imam,” says 77-year-old Agha, who left Mumbai in 1965 for the UK, where he became a theatre director.

According to Agha’s research, famous Hussaini Brahmins, who are also called Dutts or Mohiyals, included Hindi film actors Sunil Dutt, Gita Bali and Om Prakash and lyricist Anand Bakhshi.

“The last time I spoke to Sunil Dutt’s daughter, Priya Dutt, she told me that her father strictly observed Muharram. In the first 10 days, he would not participate in any celebrations. I am interviewing her for the film soon,” says Agha. The filmmaker also plans to shoot various Muharram processions.

“I am told that at many places, on the path of processions, Hindu families in Mumbai put up sabeel (pitchers to quench thirst in commemoration of the denial of water to Hussain and his disciples at Karbala for three days before his martyrdom). This is a strong message of India’s composite culture and I want to capture it,” Agha points out.

From the recitation of marsiya (mournful poetry) to sermons describing the trauma Hussain and his disciples suffered, Agha aims to capture different aspects of Muharram.

“Nowhere else is Muharram observed like it is done in India. Here, many Hindus participate, and prominent among them are Hussaini Brahmins. This carries a big message for communal harmony,” adds Agha.