After John Abraham’s Comment on The Kashmir Files, Vivek Agnihotri Tells Him to Stick to Bikes and Protein

Bollywood director Vivek Agnihotri has hit back at actor John Abraham after the latter stated he would never make films intended to politically sway audiences, citing movies like The Kashmir Files and Chhaava.

Vivek Agnihotri’s Response
In an interview with NDTV, Vivek criticized John’s remarks, saying, “John is not a historian, an intellectual, a thinker, or a writer. He has been making very jingoistic films like Satyameva Jayate. He must have said that for a variety of reasons. If a great historian had said this, I would have understood it. I don’t care what he’s saying.”

He added, “When was India’s atmosphere not hyper-political? When were Hindu-Muslim and caste issues absent? John is known for riding bikes, 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).”

What John Abraham Said
Earlier, in an interview with India Today, John Abraham revealed, “I haven’t seen Chhaava, but I know that people have loved it — and also The Kashmir Files. 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. To answer your question, no, I have never been tempted, and I will never make those kinds of films.”

The Kashmir Files, which depicts the 1990 exodus of Kashmiri Hindus, starred Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Darshan Kumar, and Pallavi Joshi, and earned ₹341 crore worldwide.

Vivek Agnihotri’s Upcoming Film
Vivek is now preparing for the release of The Bengal Files, which explores the 1946 Great Calcutta Killings and the Noakhali riots. The film features Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi, Darshan Kumar, Simrat Kaur, Anupam Kher, and others, and is slated for a 5 September release.