‘Anurag Kashyap Was A Drunkard Who Palmed Off Work To Vikram Motwane’: Vivek Agnihotri

Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri, known for controversial films like 'The Kashmir Files' and 'The Tashkent Files', recently opened up about working with acclaimed directors Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane on the 2007 film 'Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal'. In an interview with Hindi Rush, Agnihotri spoke candidly about the behind-the-scenes friction on set, particularly pointing to Kashyap's drinking habits and creative disagreements during production.

Vivek Agnihotri on working with Anurag Kashyap

Agnihotri revealed that Anurag was originally brought on as a writer and had proposed Vikramaditya Motwane to assist with the project. “Anurag was a heavy drinker back then and couldn’t be trusted. He brought Vikram on board, who is a very talented guy. He told me, ‘Mera naya ladka hai, woh kaam karega’,” Agnihotri recalled.

He further stated that the creative vision of Anurag and Vikram didn't align with his own. “Gradually, Anurag palmed off all the work to Vikram. But their vision didn’t match mine. Ultimately, we were at loggerheads. The production house had a word with Anurag… He became difficult to handle. Only an alcoholic knows what an alcoholic goes through,” he said.

On his personal rapport with Kashyap, Agnihotri added, “We’ve worked closely and we are cordial whenever we’ve met. But yes, he has said certain things about me on social media.”

Motwane on the film 'Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal'

In a past interview with Mid-Day, Vikramaditya Motwane also reflected on his experience, stating that the original script he co-wrote with Anurag Kashyap was “one of the best things” he had ever written. “Vivek approached UTV with a football story. They wanted a good writer, so they called Anurag. He said, ‘I know nothing about football, but this guy (Motwane) knows everything.’ I wrote it, and they were happy. But the final film was not made the way we had envisioned it. Still, it was a paid gig, and at that time, beggars couldn’t be choosers.”

Meanwhile, Anurag Kashyap, in a recent interaction at Annapurna College of Film and Media, confirmed that he has left alcohol behind. “When I was dealing with a lot in the industry, I became an alcoholic for a brief time. I went to a de-addiction centre and discovered new details about my writing process.”

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