Vivek Agnihotri says Bollywood is Run by Immature People

Since its release, Vivek Agnihotri’s The Kashmir Files has stirred the masses.

The film was released with little expectation but has been highly praised and it is currently one of the most talked-about Indian films.

Vivek admitted that he did not anticipate it being such a big success.

He said: “No, I never anticipated this kind of box-office success.

“But from the day I met Punit Goenka of Zee Studios [who produced the film], I had maintained that this film will be a hit. But nobody believed me.

“Only after the film collected Rs. 100 crore did people start believing me.

“Today, many senior people are saying that after the Quit India movement, this is the first time something has stirred the masses.”

He went on to criticise Bollywood, stating that Kashmir-related films made by the industry were fake.

Vivek explained: “Yes. All these films which were made on Kashmir were fake.

“None of these seven to eight big films which have been made on Kashmir, and were set in the same period, ever spoke about the Kashmiri Hindu genocide.”

While The Kashmir Files has been a huge success, many Bollywood personalities have stayed quiet, something Vivek pointed out.

He told The Week: “What is Bollywood I do not know.

“I have long resigned myself from there. I have left that lane and it has been 13 years now. I am an independent filmmaker.

“Bollywood is run by immature ones. They have no knowledge of India and only know the herd mindset. I have made three films.

“All three assume that the audience has intelligence. All three dealt with complicated issues – exactly the subjects which Bollywood refrains from.”

Despite The Kashmir Files‘ success, some people have heavily criticised the film, accusing it of Islamophobia. Vivek Agnihotri revealed that he has even received threats.

“I have not taken any security. They have given it to me. I am sure they must have found reasons for it.”

“Yes, there are threats, but I am not scared.

“I am tired, my body is hurting. I am not eating properly and there is no rest.

“What also bogs me down is that people still count the number of deaths, and that pains me.

“Are we concerned about the destruction of Kashmir or the numbers here?”

On possible changes in the future, Vivek added:

“No change in me personally, but there has been a change in people’s perception of me.

“I have been provided security on all sides, so I have lost my freedom of movement. I feel I have been trapped inside a prison right now.”