Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Vivek Agnihotri defends choice of film subjects amid criticism

Director reveals new film will explore violent history of undivided Bengal and key historical events

Vivek Agnihotri defends choice of film subjects amid criticism

DIRECTOR Vivek Agnihotri, often criticised for making films with a propagandist slant, defended his right to choose his own subjects.

Agnihotri's 2022 film, The Kashmir Files, portrays the exodus of Kashmiri Hindus from their homeland after being targeted by terrorists, while his 2019 film, The Tashkent Files, investigates the mysterious death of Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri in Uzbekistan in 1966.


Speaking to PTI, Agnihotri revealed that his upcoming film, The Delhi Files, will cover the violent history of undivided Bengal, touching upon events like the Noakhali riots of 1946 and involving key historical figures such as Mahatma Gandhi, Md Ali Jinnah, and organisations like the Muslim League and Congress.

"There are people who ask why Vivek Agnihotri is not making a film on the situation in the northeastern region. There are so many filmmakers. Let anyone among them take up the task. Let me choose my subject. Can't I create awareness about the issue chosen by me," he added.

The Vaccine War director came to Kolkata to participate in a rally on Wednesday (21) protesting against the alleged rape and murder of a woman doctor in state-run R G Kar Hospital here.

"There are so many women MPs in India. Why are they not protesting against such an incident, why don't they sit on the street? You cannot trust politicians. India has been destroyed by politicians," he said.

To a question, he said he wanted to join the rally as a citizen of the country and to express solidarity with the protestors, but he would not make any film on the ghastly incident.

"I have a daughter and a sister. I don't want to exploit such an issue for commercial reasons. Let politicians do that. They are like vultures," the filmmaker said.

On West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s criticism of his film The Kashmir Files in the past, he said it was “unwarranted”.

Banerjee may have thought it is an anti-Muslim film but it is not true, Agnihotri said.

He also alleged that the West Bengal government tried to stop his team’s research for the film The Delhi Files.

To a question, he said, "I am not a politician. I am a filmmaker. My job is not to file FIRs. I can't go to court," Agnihotri said asserting that he believed in approaching “the people's court”.

The director said he was in West Bengal in his childhood.

“I had been inspired by four personalities - Swami Vivekananda, Sri Aurobindo, writer Saratchandra Chattopadhyay and later on by the works of filmmaker Satyajit Ray," Agnihotri said. (PTI)

More For You

The Abyss

James Cameron’s The Abyss pulled from Disney Plus UK after decades-old controversy resurfaces

Instagram/20thcenturystudios

Disney Plus removes James Cameron’s 'The Abyss' in UK over banned rat scene

Nearly four decades after its release, James Cameron’s 1989 sci-fi thriller The Abyss has sparked controversy again, this time on streaming. Disney+ quietly pulled the newly uploaded 4K remaster of the film from its UK platform after complaints resurfaced about a banned scene involving live animal testing.

The specific scene, showing a rat being submerged in oxygenated liquid, has long been a point of contention in the UK. Though the rat reportedly survived the experiment during filming, the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) had previously ruled it in breach of the Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937. As a result, the sequence was cut from all UK theatrical, television, DVD, and Blu-ray releases. Yet, when Disney+ added the remastered version in April, the uncut version slipped through, triggering backlash from animal welfare groups.

Keep ReadingShow less
Mo Chara Terror Charge Sparks Billboard Protest by Kneecap

Mo Chara is being represented by a prominent legal team

Alamy

Mo Chara of Kneecap faces UK terror charge as band erects billboards in protest

Irish rapper Mo Chara, a member of Belfast-based hip hop group Kneecap, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 17 June 2025, after being charged under the UK’s Terrorism Act 2000. The charge stems from an incident in November 2023, when Mo Chara, whose real name is Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, allegedly displayed a flag associated with Hezbollah during a performance at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London.

Hezbollah is a proscribed organisation under UK law. Under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act, it is an offence to wear, carry or display any article in such a way or in circumstances that may arouse reasonable suspicion of support for a banned group. The offence is punishable by up to six months in prison, a fine, or both.

Keep ReadingShow less
Anurag Kashyap

Anurag Kashyap returns with crime drama Nishaanchi

Instagram Screengrab/ amazonmgmstudiosin

Anurag Kashyap’s 'Nishaanchi' with Amazon MGM set for 19 September release

Anurag Kashyap is heading back to the big screen with Nishaanchi, a gritty drama that explores love, betrayal, crime, and redemption through the story of two brothers on divergent life paths. The film, which has been in the making since 2016, is set to release in theatres on 19 September 2025.

Nishaanchi is backed by Amazon MGM Studios and produced by Ajay Rai and Ranjan Singh under Jar Pictures, in association with Flip Films. The cast features Monika Panwar, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Kumud Mishra, Vedika Pinto, and marks the acting debut of Aaishvary Thackeray. The project, Kashyap says, finally found its footing when Amazon MGM came on board as a passionate partner.

Keep ReadingShow less
Brad Pitt and Bradley Cooper turn heads on double date with Gigi Hadid and Ines de Ramon

Brad Pitt and Bradley Cooper turn heads on double date with Gigi Hadid and Ines de Ramon in Manhattan

Brad Pitt and Bradley Cooper step out with Gigi Hadid and Ines de Ramon for a double date in New York

Brad Pitt and Bradley Cooper stepped out with their girlfriends, Ines de Ramon and Gigi Hadid, for a double date in New York City, adding a splash of glamour to the city’s nightlife. The two Hollywood stars, both known for keeping their private lives fairly low-key, were photographed leaving Cote Korean Steakhouse in Manhattan on the evening of 13 June.

Their partners, both dressed chicly yet effortlessly, walked hand in hand with their famous beaus, making this a rare public outing.

Keep ReadingShow less
Raveena Tandon

Raveena Tandon boards Air India flight days after AI171 crash

Instagram/officialraveenatandon

Raveena Tandon flies Air India to support crew after deadly AI171 crash

Bollywood actress Raveena Tandon flew with Air India just days after the airline’s London-bound AI171 flight crashed in Ahmedabad, claiming 270 lives. Her flight experience, shared through heartfelt Instagram posts, offered a glimpse into the quiet grief and emotional strength of passengers and crew still processing the tragedy.

‘A solemn journey’: Raveena shares moving message from flight

Keep ReadingShow less