The Kashmir Files Producer Not Invited To Filmfare Awards; Here's All You Need To Know About The Controversy

After filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri refused to attend the 68th Filmfare Awards where his film The Kashmir Files is nominated in as many as seven categories, the films' producer Abhishek Agarwal too called out the award function for not giving recognition to the producers of the film.

ABHISHEK AGARWAL CALLS FILMFARE 'UNFAIR'

Abhishek Agarwal called Filmfare 'unfair' and said that producers are the ones who make the stars, but the entertainment industry fails to recognize them.

Taking to his micro-blogging site, Abhishek wrote, "FILMFARE IS UNFAIR! I have produced and backed #TheKashmirFiles with the intention of telling a true story to the world and it went on to become a blockbuster. The film received 7 nominations at the @filmfare awards and I am not invited to the event. It is time that the entertainment industry recognises the producers. They are the ones who make stars. Respect and recognition would only motivate us better to back great stories. @filmfare #FilmfareAwards2023 #TheKashmirFiles @vivekagnihotri."

VIVEK AGNIHOTRI SLAMS FILMFARE; PENS A LONG NOTE

Earlier, the director of the film, Vivek Agnihotri penned a long post slamming the award function, while refusing to be part of it. He said that he doesn't want to be part of an "oppressive and corrupt system or awards which treats writers, directors and other HODs & crew members of a film inferior to and/or as slaves to stars".

He even talked about the rise of a new parallel Hindi film industry.

The filmmaker wrote, "I learnt from media that #TheKashmirFiles is nominated in 7 categories for the 68th Filmfare Awards. But I politely refuse to be part of these unethical and anti-cinema awards. Here is why: According to Filmfare, other than the stars, nobody has a face. Nobody matters. That's why, in the sycophant and unethical world of Filmfare, Master Directors like Sanjay Bhansali or Sooraj Barjatya have no faces. Sanjay Bhansali looks like Alia Bhatt, Sooraj like Mr. Bachchan and Annes Bazmi like Karthik Aryan. It's not that a filmmaker's dignity comes from Filmfare Awards but this humiliating system must end."

He continued, "Therefore, as my protest and dissent against a corrupt, unethical and sycophant establishment of Bollywood, I have decided to not accept such awards. I refuse to be part of any oppressive and corrupt system or awards which treats writers, directors and other HODs & crew members of a film inferior to and/or as slaves to stars."

He concluded with congratulating those who win and even those who don't.

WHAT IS THE CONTROVERSY?

As you read Vivek Agnihotri and Abhishek Agarwal's tweets, you must want to understand the controversy that led to them slamming the filmfare awards. The Kashmir Files, the critically acclaimed film was released on March 11 last year. The film became one of the biggest hits in a decade. The were several controversies surrounding the film, but the love that it received from the cine-goers muted all.

The Kashmir Files has received 7 nominations this year, but surprisingly, last year, at the 67th event of the Filmfare Awards, which was held at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, did not invite a single person associated with the film.

Addressing the issue, Vivek Agnihotri has tweeted, "So Filmfare didn't invite a single person associated with the movie 'The Kashmir Files' and nobody from Bollywood objected against it shows why Bollywood needs a permanent boycott and not just a few films. If you can't respect our sentiments, you don't deserve our money and appreciation."