Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri has lashed out at actor John Abraham for his recent comments on politically charged films like The Kashmir Files. In a recent interview with NDTV, Agnihotri hit back at Abraham’s remarks, telling the actor to stick to what he knows best and stay out of cinematic commentary.
Agnihotri was responding to an earlier interview where John Abraham said he would never make films that politically sway people. “I haven’t seen Chhaava, but I know that people have loved it—and also The Kashmir Files,” Abraham said.
“But when films are made with the intent to sway people in a hyper-political environment and such films find an audience, that is scary for me.”
“He’s not a historian,” says Agnihotri Agnihotri did not hold back in his response, questioning Abraham’s authority to comment on such matters. “John is not a historian, an intellectual, a thinker, or a writer,” he said. He pointed out Abraham’s own work in jingoistic films like Satyameva Jayate and Diplomat, adding, “I don’t care about what he’s saying.”
The filmmaker added that Abraham should focus on his own craft. “He is known for driving motorbikes, showing his body and eating protein—he should focus on those things. Filmon mein naa hi ghuse toh behtar hai (better if he doesn’t get into talking about films),” Agnihotri said.
The Kashmir Files, which revolves around the 1990 exodus of Kashmiri Hindus, was a box-office success, earning a worldwide gross of ₹341 crore.
Upcoming Projects
Vivek Agnihotri is currently gearing up for the release of his next film, The Bengal Files. The film, which focuses on the 1946 Great Calcutta Killings and the Noakhali riots, is scheduled to hit cinemas on September 5.