During a recent podcast appearance, director Vivek Agnihotri firmly dismissed any Anurag Kashyap comparison with Vivek Agnihotri, making clear distinctions between his work and the acclaimed filmmaker, while also addressing comments made by director Anubhav Sinha. The interview took place on Shubhankar Mishra’s show and touched on industry perceptions, personal philosophies, and Agnihotri’s approach to filmmaking.
Vivek Agnihotri Addresses Directorial Comparisons
When podcast host Shubhankar Mishra mentioned that many observers call Agnihotri the “right-wing Anurag Kashyap,” Agnihotri was quick to reject such labels. He pointed out differences in their personal habits and cinematic focus.
“I don’t drink like him, though,”
—Vivek Agnihotri, Director. He went on to explain his filmmaking approach.
“People who like Anurag and watch his films only focus on the fault lines of this country. I focus on the greatness of this nation.”
—Vivek Agnihotri, Director.
Insights Into Filmmaking Choices and Inspiration
Agnihotri described his inspiration for making films like The Kashmir Files and The Tashkent Files, emphasizing his intention to offer perspectives that celebrate the country’s positive aspects.
“This was my choice, the trilogy, and I decided to make these movies back in 2010. There have been several documentaries made on the Gujarat riots. People have already talked about it, and there is nothing new to bring to the screen.”
—Vivek Agnihotri, Director.
Stance on Collaborations and Professional Boundaries
The conversation also turned to Anubhav Sinha, with Mishra referencing an earlier remark where Sinha expressed reluctance to work with Kangana Ranaut due to ideological conflicts.
“Agar aadmi hi na pasand ho, toh kaam kaise kare (If you don’t like the person, you can’t work with them).”
—Anubhav Sinha, Director. Addressing this attitude, Agnihotri distanced himself from such thinking, arguing for professionalism and clarity in his collaborations.
“That is Anubhav’s own thinking; I am too wise for that. I can draw that line between the people I am working with. I don’t have any personal conversations with the people that I am working with, and many of the people in my movies don’t believe in the same ideologies that I do. So many people in the Bengal Files are themselves Bengali, but I work with national award-winning actors who are professional enough to get the job done.”
—Vivek Agnihotri, Director.
Upcoming Film and Notable Cast Members
Vivek Agnihotri prepares to release the concluding film of his trilogy, The Bengal Files, scheduled for September 5. The cast features a lineup of celebrated talent including Darshan Kumaar, Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, and Saswata Chatterjee, promising another movie centered on national themes and engaging performances.
Implications Within the Indian Film Industry
Agnihotri’s explicit rejection of the Anurag Kashyap comparison with Vivek Agnihotri, along with his remarks on professional conduct, highlight ongoing debates in the film industry about ideology, collaboration, and narrative focus. With The Bengal Files on the horizon, his approach and commentary are likely to fuel further conversation among directors, actors, and audiences as the release date approaches.
