Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri has refused the upcoming Filmfare Awards, calling it 'unethical and anti-cinema'. He penned a long note slamming the awards saying that as per Filmfare other than the stars, nobody has a face, and nobody matters. Vivek mentioned he doesn't want to be part of an “oppressive and corrupt system or awards which treats writers, directors and other crew members of a film inferior or as slaves to stars. His post comes after his movie ‘The Kashmir Files’ gets nominated in seven categories.
Taking to his Instagram handle, the director, on Thursday, penned a lengthy note expressing his dismay with the awards and wrote, “ANNOUNCEMENT: FILMFARE AWARDS 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 added, “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 went on to state, “My congratulations to all those who win and more to those who do not. The brighter side is that I am not alone. Slowly but steadily, a parallel Hindi film industry is emerging. Until then…” ALSO READ: Vivek Agnihotri SLAMS Karan Johar Over His ‘Murder Anushka Sharma’s Career’ Remark; Says ‘Bollywood Is In Gutter Because Of Some People’s Dirty Politics’
Meanwhile, The Kashmir Files was nominated at the 68th Filmfare Awards 2023b in the Best Director category, Best Film, and Best Screenplay. While Anupam Kher was nominated for Best Actor, Mithun Chakraborty, and Darshan Kumar for Best Supporting Actor.