Vivek Agnihotri Dares Bollywood To 'Boycott' Ranbir Kapoor Over Animal Criticism: 'Aukaat Nahi Hai'

Last Updated:
Vivek Agnihotri clarified that his issue isn't with genuine stars, but with those who act entitled without achieving anything substantial.
Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri has taken a sharp jab at Bollywood's top producers, accusing them of hypocrisy and cowardice when it comes to confronting major stars like Ranbir Kapoor. In a recent interview, Agnihotri claimed that the industry routinely badmouths its leading actors behind closed doors, but no one dares to criticise them publicly.
Speaking to Digital Commentary, the Kashmir Files director said, 'Aukaat hi nahi hai inki, himmat hai karne ki, kar ke dikhayein." His comments came in response to the ongoing conversation around Animal—Sandeep Reddy Vanga's controversial blockbuster and the silence around Ranbir Kapoor's involvement in the film's criticism.
Agnihotri challenged Bollywood insiders to name one producer or director who hasn't spoken negatively about a big star in private. 'Do they have the courage to say anything in public? They don't. So they deserve to suffer," he said. 'Do phir Rs 150 crore ghatiya kaam ke, sadi hui acting ke." According to him, the industry is so dependent on star power that they have compromised their creative standards, which is why he has distanced himself from mainstream Bollywood.
He clarified that his issue isn't with genuine stars, but with those who act entitled without achieving anything substantial. 'My problem is with people who behave like stars without being one," he added.
Meanwhile, Animal director Sandeep Reddy Vanga also opened up about the post-release reactions. In an appearance on Game Changers, Vanga expressed frustration over the disparity in how the film's backlash was handled. 'Everybody said Ranbir was brilliant, but the writer-director was criticised. I understood they want to work with Ranbir," he said. 'It's easy to make a comment about me because I am new for this place."
First Published:

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Time of India

8 hours ago

• Time of India

Exclusive - Sheezaan Khan on Tujhse Hai Ashiqui: Wanted to explore playing a negative character

Tujhse Hai Ashiqui which started from June 6, features actor Sheezaan Khan as Arjun Waliya. While the actor is excited for the audience to see him in a negative character, he shared that he did not relate to it at all. He said, 'I don't relate to it at all. The character is a villain. Every person has an ideology, whether he is a villain or a hero, and they think they are always correct. While playing my character, I used to feel bad after the scene. I, as Sheizaan, used to feel bad about whatever I was doing in my character. This is the first time in my 12–13 years of career that I am playing a character like that.' 'I had never played a villain before, so this was a big reason for me to say yes to this show. I wanted to explore playing a negative character, and I had two big examples in my mind: first was Shah Rukh Khan in Darr, and second was Bobby Deol in Animal. I was okay with less screen time, but I wanted my character to be impactful. And that was it. If there is no Arjun Waliya in Tujhse Hai Ashiqui, then there is no conflict,' he added. When asked whether he feels fashion on screen has declined in the entertainment industry, he disagreed and said, 'Fashion and storytelling are two very different things.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ibbenbüren: Nur 700 Plätze. Werden Sie Testhörer für die neuen Hörgeräte ohne Zuzahlung. GEERS Undo For him, storytelling is of utmost importance. He cites Gangs of Wasseypur as an example, a film that succeeded immensely because of its strong narrative. He added, 'It's just how a maker wants to show their show.' Behind the scenes, Sheezaan credits Ravie, who has directed the show, for being his guiding force throughout the shoot. Whenever he was confused or unsure about a scene, a quick call to Ravie would set things right. 'He used to just pick up my call and tell me how the scene should be performed, or if there is any change in the scene, how it should be done. So for me, he was like a guide. I trusted his vision completely,' he ended. Gashmeer Mahajani: I can only do limited series, but not daily soaps

News18

13 hours ago

• News18

Deepika Padukone's 8-Hour Shift Request Isn't New, Says Siddharth P Malhotra: 'Kajol, Rani Did It Too'

Siddharth P Malhotra supports Deepika Padukone's 8-hour shift demand, reveals Kajol and Rani Mukerji made similar requests years ago. Calls media chatter 'publicity'. Last month, reports surfaced that Deepika Padukone had opted out of Sandeep Reddy Vanga's upcoming film Spirit, allegedly due to working condition concerns—including a request for an eight-hour workday. The development came eight months after the birth of her daughter, Dua Padukone. Weighing in on the matter, filmmaker Siddharth P Malhotra—who helmed Junaid Khan's debut film Maharaj and directed Rani Mukerji's comeback film Hichki—stated that such requests are not new and have existed in the industry for years. 'We finished Hichki, the whole film, in 28 eight-hour shifts," Malhotra told IANS. 'Whether it was Rani (Mukerji), the kids, the cameramen or the spot boy, everyone finished in that time." Hichki, produced by Yash Raj Films, marked Rani Mukerji's return to the screen after the birth of her daughter Adira in December 2015. Recalling that emotional period, Rani had said, 'For 14 months, I have been there in front of her face. So I kept asking myself, 'Is it going to be worth it?'" She even confessed to 'howling in the car" on her first day back on set. Malhotra explained that every project comes with its own expectations and timelines, but the concept of eight-hour workdays isn't unprecedented. 'It's been happening for years. When I'd shot with Kajol in 2010, she used to do eight-hour shifts. She made it very clear she'd either come from 10 am to 6 pm, or 7 am to 2 pm, or for an eight-hour shift at night. Rani also did the same. Deepika isn't demanding anything new." Kajol recently supported the same practice in an interview with PTI, stating, 'I didn't work for 20 or 30 hours. I was always very clear that we would work a certain amount only, and my mom (veteran actor Tanuja) also backed me up big time on it." Addressing the controversy around Deepika's exit, Malhotra added, 'If I need an actor and am confident I can finish the film within those working hours, I'd work with them even for six hours a day. This isn't actor-specific. People are just gaining publicity in the name of Deepika Padukone. She's asking for family time, what wrong is she demanding?" He also remarked that if Vanga required longer hours from his female lead, the director could always adjust the schedule accordingly or cast someone else. 'If the director can't accommodate the timeline, they can simply choose to work with another actor," he said. Following Deepika's reported exit, director Sandeep Reddy Vanga has signed Animal breakout star Triptii Dimri as the lead opposite Prabhas in Spirit. The film, backed by Bhushan Kumar's T-Series, is scheduled to release in cinemas next year. First Published:

Economic Times

14 hours ago

• Economic Times

‘What wrong is Deepika demanding?': Kajol and Rani did 8-hour shifts too, says director Siddharth P. Malhotra as Bollywood debate heats up

Agencies Deepika Padukone's reported exit from Spirit over her request for an eight-hour workday has reignited debate on humane work hours in Indian cinema. Director Siddharth P Malhotra defended her stance, citing past examples like Rani Mukerji and Kajol who also worked limited shifts post-motherhood. Last month, reports broke that Deepika Padukone had stepped away from Sandeep Reddy Vanga's much-anticipated Telugu cop drama Spirit . The reason? Her request for an eight-hour workday. The demand, made just eight months after the birth of her daughter Dua Padukone, sparked debate across the industry and social media, with many questioning whether actors should dictate such terms in big-budget productions. Now, director Siddharth P Malhotra has come out in her support, pointing out that such working conditions are not only reasonable but have long existed in the industry. Speaking to IANS, Malhotra recalled wrapping his 2018 film Hichki —starring Rani Mukerji—in just 28 eight-hour shifts. The film, produced by Aditya Chopra under Yash Raj Films, marked Rani's return to the screen after giving birth to her daughter Adira in 2015. 'For 14 months, I have been there in front of her face. So I kept asking myself, 'Is it going to be worth it?'' Rani had shared in a past interview, reflecting on her emotional struggle as a new mother rejoining work. But Malhotra confirmed the working hours were kept tight and clear. 'She's asking for family time, what wrong is she demanding?' he asked bluntly. 'People are just gaining publicity in the name of Deepika Padukone.' Malhotra also pointed to his debut film We Are Family (2010), in which lead actor Kajol, a mother herself at the time, insisted on fixed working hours. 'When I shot with Kajol in 2010, she used to do eight-hour shifts. She made it very clear she'd either come from 10 am to 6 pm or 7 am to 2 pm,' he said, underscoring that the practice predates the current noise around Deepika's decision. Kajol recently echoed this sentiment to PTI, stating, 'I didn't work for 20 or 30 hours. I was always very clear that we would work a certain amount only, and my mom (veteran actor Tanuja) also backed me up big time on it.' Malhotra believes that directors should match their production plans with the availability of their actors—especially when such conditions are set transparently from the outset. 'If Deepika Padukone has made these conditions clear right from the start, then the director shouldn't work with her if it doesn't suit them,' he said. 'If I need an actor and am confident I can finish the film within those working hours, I'd work with them even for six hours a day.' He added that if Vanga's vision for Spirit required longer working hours, he was within his rights to recast. And that's exactly what has happened: Vanga has now brought Animal star Triptii Dimri on board as the lead opposite Prabhas in the film. While the industry is known for grueling shifts and punishing timelines, the conversation sparked by Padukone's stance opens a new chapter—one that addresses work-life balance, especially for women returning to work post-motherhood.