‘The Kashmir Files’ director Vivek Agnihotri refuses to be part of ‘unethical and anti-cinema’ Filmfare Awards

Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, director of the blockbuster film The Kashmir Files, announced on Thursday that he will not attend or accept the coveted Filmfare Awards.

He shared the news on his social media and wrote a long note calling the awards "unethical and anti-cinema".

His film The Kashmir Files is nominated in seven categories this year, including Best Film and Best Actor (Male). In his post, he wrote that as his protest against the 'corrupt, unethical and condescending establishment of Bollywood', he decided not to accept such awards.

He even blamed Filmfare for its "degrading" system. He believes that according to Filmfare no one has a face other than the stars. He also said he refuses to be part of any "oppressive and corrupt system" or awards that treat writers, directors and other HODs and film crew members as inferior and/or as slaves to the stars.

At the same time, however, he congratulated "all those who won, and more so those who did not win." He concluded his statement by saying that he is not alone. “Slowly but surely, a parallel Hindi film industry is emerging. Until then…” he wrote.

Now, the film's producer Abhishek Agarwal has announced on his Twitter account that despite supporting the blockbuster film, he is not invited to the event. “It's time for the entertainment industry to recognize producers. They are the ones who make the stars. Respect and recognition would only motivate us better to support great stories,” he wrote.

The film was released on a very small number of screens but with positive word-of-mouth among the audience, it went on to become of the most successful films of the year. The Kashmir Files features Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, and Darshan Kumar in the lead roles.