Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri defends director Sandeep Reddy Vanga's narrative: He is entitled to tell stories from his unique perspective.
In an intriguing turn of events, renowned filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri has come out in support of his fellow director, Sandeep Reddy Vanga, amidst criticisms of promoting toxic masculinity in his films. Agnihotri, known for his forthcoming film The Bengal Files: Right to Life, considers Vanga his "alter ego" in the industry and praises him as a fearless storyteller who portrays society truthfully from his perspective.
Agnihotri argues that Vanga is not glorifying toxic masculinity but merely holding up a mirror to the realities of society, questioning whether society truly respects women. He believes the backlash is less about the content and more about Vanga’s success, asserting that critics would not have an issue if Vanga’s films failed. Agnihotri emphasizes that Vanga has the right to tell stories from his point of view, just as others have the right to criticize.
Comparing Vanga to other filmmakers who faced initial criticism but were later acknowledged for their storytelling authenticity, Agnihotri states that people question the depiction of toxic masculinity in Vanga’s films because they confront uncomfortable truths about society's attitudes towards women. Ultimately, Agnihotri supports Vanga’s cinematic approach and dismisses claims of misogyny as misunderstandings of honest storytelling.
Agnihotri's upcoming film, The Bengal Files: Right to Life, set to release on September 5, 2025, is said to be set against the backdrop of the 1940s in Bengal. The film boasts an impressive cast including Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, and Govind Namdev.
In addition to The Bengal Files: Right to Life, Agnihotri is also working on Animal Park and Spirit. He also recalls Shekhar Kapur facing similar criticism for making Bandit Queen.
Vivek Agnihotri's film The Kashmir Files faced criticism but later found acceptance after the Pahalgam terror attack. Agnihotri believes that Sandeep Reddy Vanga speaks fearlessly in his films.
It's worth noting that Agnihotri does not necessarily believe in Vanga's beliefs, but acknowledges his right to tell stories from his point of view. He questions whether society respects women and if it is fair to criticize Vanga for showing the truth.
This reporting is brought to you by the Outlook Entertainment Desk.
Vivek Agnihotri, known for films like The Kashmir Files and The Bengal Files: Right to Life, believes Sandeep Reddy Vanga's work, criticized for promoting toxic masculinity, is a reflection of societal truths, questioning if society truly respects women. Agnihotri further compares Vanga's struggle with that of fellow filmmakers, such as Shekhar Kapur with Bandit Queen, who faced initial criticism but were later acknowledged for their authentic storytelling.
