Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri has lashed out at the West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee after she claimed that ‘The Kashmir Files’ was made to humiliate one section of the society. In a statement, the CM issued a ban on 'The Kerala Story' in the state and also slammed Agnihotri’s film based on the exodus of the Kashmiri Pandits from Kashmir Valley in 1990. Now, Vivek has hit back at Mamta saying he is considering filing a defamation case against her.
Speaking at a press briefing in the state secretariat in Howrah, Mamata Banerjee said, “What is 'The Kashmir Files'? It is to humiliate one section. What is 'The Kerala Story'?... It is a distorted story. BJP is showing The Kerala Story, a distorted story. A few days back, some stars funded by BJP came to Bengal, and with some distorted and concocted story, they are preparing Bengal Files.”
VERY IMPORTANT:
— Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) May 8, 2023
In this video, I guess, @MamataOfficial didi is talking about me. Yes, I came to Bengal to interview survivors of Direct Action Day genocide instigated by Khilafat. And the role of Gopal Patha. Why are you scared? #TheKashmirFiles was about Genocide and… pic.twitter.com/x7OcaQ4A4k
Vivek took to his Twitter handle to react to Banerjee’s claims and said he is planning to sue her. The director tweeted, “VERY IMPORTANT: In this video, I guess, @MamataOfficial didi is talking about me. Yes, I came to Bengal t interview survivors of Direct Action Day genocide instigated by Khilafat. And the role of Gopal Patha. Why are you scared? #TheKashmirFiles was about Genocide and terrorism. On what basis do you think it was to defame Kashmiri people? On what basis do you say so maliciously that it is funded by a political party? Why shouldn’t I file a defamation case and a case of Genocide Denial against you? Btw, the film is called #TheDelhiFiles not Bengal Files. And nobody can silence me.”
While responding to a comment, Vivek wrote, “I am seriously considering it (to file defamation case).”
Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee has imposed a ban on 'The Kerala Story' in the state saying the film was pulled down from cinemas to avoid any incident of hatred and violence and also to maintain peace in the state. The film's producer Vipul Shah has slammed the ban and said they will take legal action against the TMC government.