Filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri recently offered rare praise to some of his peers in the Indian film industry. In a candid interview with Humans of Bombay, Agnihotri called Sandeep Reddy Vanga his “alter ego” in the film industry.
Vivek Agnihotri calls Sandeep Reddy Vanga his “alter ego”, DEFENDS portrayal of toxic masculinity: “He has the right to tell stories from his point of view”
“Sandeep Reddy Vanga Is My Alter Ego” – Vivek Agnihotri
Referring to Kabir Singh and Animal director Sandeep Reddy Vanga, Agnihotri said, “Sandeep Reddy Vanga is more like my alter ego in the industry. Just like me, he speaks fearlessly.” Acknowledging the criticism that Vanga has received for allegedly promoting toxic masculinity, Agnihotri defended the filmmaker by saying that his work is merely a reflection of reality.
“People question Sandeep Reddy Vanga for toxic masculinity, but what is really happening in the society? Isn’t it the truth? Does your society respect women? It is just his storytelling. He is showing the world to the people from his point of view,” he stated.
He added that a filmmaker has every right to present stories from their perspective. “I am not claiming that I believe in Vanga. I am just saying he has the right to tell stories from his point of view. People who are abusing him are also using their right. But at the end of the day, he is laughing looking at his bank,” Agnihotri said, suggesting that the criticism stems more from Vanga’s commercial success than his content.
“Everyone Has Their Truth”
Agnihotri went on to draw parallels between criticisms he and Vanga have faced. Defending the choice of narrative perspective in his own films like The Kashmir Files, he questioned why filmmakers should be expected to tell stories from opposing viewpoints.
“Many asked me, ‘Why did you not show the film from the other point of view?’ How can I do that? Why will I show the film from a terrorist’s point of view?” he said, reiterating that like Bandit Queen or The Kashmir Files, films can be vindicated over time.
Agnihotri concluded by suggesting that public backlash often masks deeper issues. “They are having an issue, because it is working for him [Vanga]. If his movies failed, nobody would care.”
Also Read: Vivek Agnihotri drops promo for The Bengal Files’ Never Again USA tour with premiere dates!
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