Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri has addressed Anurag Kashyap’s recent allegation of calling him a “liar,” reigniting a long-standing professional discord dating back to their collaboration on the 2007 film ‘Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal’. Speaking in an interview with Siddharth Kannan, Agnihotri stood by his earlier remarks about Kashyap’s drinking habits, while also acknowledging his contributions to Indian cinema.
“Usko chhodo. Woh raat mein kya bolta hai, subah kya bolta hai, dono mein farak hai. Jiske andar 2-3 aadmi rehte hain, uski baat ko main kya kahun (Forget him. What he says at night and what he says in the morning are completely different. When someone has two or three people living inside him, what can I even say about what he says)?” Agnihotri said.
He continued, “Yes, I had talked about his drinking habits, and that’s the truth. But I never said Anurag is a bad guy – he is a wonderful guy. His contribution to Indian cinema is unprecedented. There can be only one Anurag Kashyap. When Indian cinema’s history is written, people will remember him.”
The rift between the two directors reportedly began when Agnihotri claimed Kashyap’s alleged alcoholism had affected their work. Defending his stance, he added, “My film suffered because of his alcoholism. What’s wrong with that? I used to drink a lot at one point in my life, and I suffered at work because of it. It happens.” Agnihotri also maintained that Kashyap had handed over his responsibilities on the project to filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane.
While their professional paths have diverged, both filmmakers continue to work actively in the industry.
Agnihotri is currently gearing up for ‘The Bengal Files’, a politically charged drama centred on political violence in West Bengal, featuring Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, and Darshan Kumar. The project follows the thematic vein of his controversial yet commercially successful ‘The Kashmir Files’.
Kashyap, meanwhile, is working on ‘Nishaanchi’, starring Balasaheb Thackeray’s grandson Aaishvary Thackeray, whose teaser was recently unveiled.
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