Meryl Streep led a chorus of stars honoring the Indian woman whose brutal rape and subsequent death has inspired a documentary so harrowing it has been banned by the Indian government . Streep spoke at the New York City premiere of India 's Daughter , a BBC program which tells the story of Jyoti Singh , a 23-year-old medical student who was set upon by six rapists as she rode a bus in 2012 . Singh was injured so badly after the repeated , violent rapes that she later died in hospital . Indian ministers secured a court order banning the documentary in India , for fear it could stoke public anger . Scroll down for video . Tribute : Meryl Streep , center , spoke at a candlelit vigil before India 's Daughter received its U.S. premiere . Streep told a packed auditorium at Baruch College in Gramercy , Manhattan , that Singh is not only India 's daughter , but 'our daughter , too ' . She was joined by Coldplay singer Chris Martin , Dakota Fanning and Indian actress Frieda Pinto . The documentary was directed by British filmmaker Leslee Udwin , herself a rape victim . The hour-long film , which has aired in Britain already , sparked uproar for including comments from one of Singh 's rapists . Mukesh Singh told film crews : ' A girl is far more responsible for rape than a boy . Boy and girl are not equal . Housework and housekeeping is for girls , not roaming in discos and bars at night doing wrong things , wearing wrong clothes . Star-studded : Frieda Pinto , left , and Streep , right , were among those at the New York City premiere of the controversial film , which the Indian government has banned . Gathering : Dakota Fanning , left , was at the premiere for the film , which was directed by British filmmaker Leslee Udwin ( right ) He is one of five men convicted over the rape and murder of the medical student , who was lured aboard a bus along with a friend in December 2012 . Once inside , bus driver Singh , his brother Ram , gym instructor Vinay Sharma , 20 , bus cleaner Akshay Thakur , 28 , fruit-seller Pawan Gupta , 19 , and an unnamed teenager launched the attack . The attackers beat her friend and took turns raping the woman . They penetrated her with a rod , leaving severe internal injuries that caused her death . Protests : Thousands of Indians took to the streets after Singh 's death in protest at her brutal violation . Outrageous : Mukesh Singh , one of Jyoti Singh 's six rapists , told film crews that the rape was her fault . She died a fortnight later after suffering terrible injuries to her abdomen , genitals and intestines . Her death prompted mass protests and led to speedier trials and tougher penalties for rape . However , Mukesh Singh argued that Jyoti Singh 's death was her fault for struggling . He said : 'When being raped , she should n't fight back . She should just be silent and allow the rape ... Then they 'd have dropped her off after 'doing her ' , and only hit [ her friend ] the boy . ' Grief-stricken : Pictured are Badrinath Singh and his wife , Asha Devi , the parents of Jyoti Singh . Badrinath said the documentary shows the 'bitter truth ' about Indian culture . He claimed 'you ca n't clap with one hand - it takes two ... A decent girl wo n't roam around at 9 o'clock at night . ' A defense lawyer for the six rapists also weighed in . AP Singh said that if his daughter or sister 'engaged in pre-marital activities ... in front of my entire family , I would put petrol on her and set her alight ' . The victim 's father , Badrinath Singh speaking to broadcaster NDTV , which was set to screen the film before the ban , said the documentary is 'the bitter truth ' and deserves to be seen by every Indian .
Streep spoke at premiere of India 's Daughter , held in Gramercy , Manhattan . Joined by Dakota Fanning and Chris spoke at event for India 's Daughter . Documentary , which is broadcast in India , tells story of Joyti ##ka , 23 . Student was brutally raped by two men in prison , and healed of the wounds . Program includes shocking interview with rapist , who killed Singh .