<keyword id="6533" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="anupam-kher" source="Orion">Anupam Kher</keyword> is officially a part of filmmaker <keyword id="30014" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="vivek-agnihotri" source="Orion">Vivek Agnihotri</keyword>'s next directorial "The Vaccine War" and has commenced shooting for the film, the veteran actor announced on Monday. The film marks the fourth collaboration between <keyword id="2057" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="agnihotri" source="Orion">Agnihotri</keyword> and <keyword id="950" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="kher" source="Orion">Kher</keyword> after movies such as "Buddha in a Traffic Jam", "The Tashkent Files" and "The Kashmir Files". Kher took to Twitter to share the news and posted a photo from the sets of the upcoming movie. "Announcing my 534th film! #TheVaccineWar directed by @vivekagnihotri. Fascinating and Inspirational! Jai Hind!" the 67-year-old actor posted. Agnihotri, who attained commercial success with last year's film "The Kashmir Files", had announced "The Vaccine War" in November 2022 and also unveiled the official poster of the film. The movie is scheduled to be released on August 15, 2023, in 11 languages: Hindi, English, Gujarati, Punjabi, Bhojpuri, Bengali, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Urdu and Assamese. The feature project will be produced by Agnihotri's actor-wife Pallavi Joshi's I Am Buddha Productions and Abhishek Agarwal via his banner Abhishek Agarwal Arts. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/thelife/personalities/pel-vivienne-westwood-cyrus-mistry-pope-benedict-xvi-and-more-luminaries-who-passed-away-in-2022/slidelist/96678840.cms">Pelé, Vivienne Westwood, Cyrus Mistry, Pope Benedict XVI and more: Luminaries who passed away in 2022</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/naga-peace-accord-a-tale-of-so-near-yet-so-far/articleshow/96678962.cms">Naga peace accord: A tale of so near, yet so far</a>

Anupam Kher starts shooting for Vivek Agnihotri's 'The Vaccine War'

The <keyword id="3485" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="academy-of-motion-picture-arts-and-sciences" source="Orion">Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences</keyword> (AMPAS) has come out with a list of 301 feature films eligible for Oscars with Indian films "<keyword id="46758" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="rrr" source="Orion">RRR</keyword>", "<keyword id="8223714" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="gangubai-kathiawadi" source="Orion">Gangubai Kathiawadi</keyword>", "The Kashmir Files" and "Kantara" making the cut. The reminder list includes movies that can officially compete in various categories but merely featuring in the list does not guarantee that the film will advance in the final nominations of the Academy Awards, to be announced on January 24. Pan Nalin's "Chhello Show" ("Last Film Show"), India's official <keyword id="21112" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="oscar" source="Orion">Oscar</keyword> entry, also features in the list along with <keyword id="30014" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="vivek-agnihotri" source="Orion">Vivek Agnihotri</keyword>'s "The Kashmir Files", Marathi titles "Me Vasantrao" and "Tujhya Sathi Kahi Hi", R Madhavan's "Rocketry: The Nambi Effect", " Iravin Nizhal" and Kannada movie "Vikrant Rona". Documentaries "All That Breathes" by Shaunak Sen and Kartiki Gonsalves' "The Elephant Whisperers" are also part of the list. From the listed films, four entries -- "Chhello Show", "RRR", "All That Breathes" and "The Elephant Whisperers" -- have already made it to the Oscars shortlists for four categories. In the shortlist for 10 categories which AMPAS unveiled in December, "Chhello Show" made it to the best international film segment, while "Naatu Naatu" from the blockbuster "RRR" found a place in the music (original song) category. "All That Breathes" was included in the documentary feature shortlist and "The Elephant Whisperers" in the documentary short category. This is perhaps the first time India has made it to four Oscar shortlists, the stage before nominations. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sports/news/ronaldo-likely-to-make-his-al-nassr-debut-in-friendly-against-messi-paris-saint-germain/articleshow/96874005.cms">Ronaldo likely to make his Al Nassr debut in friendly against Messi, Paris Saint-Germain</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/these-audio-setting-tweaks-can-make-music-sound-better-on-spotify/articleshow/96876010.cms">These audio setting tweaks can make music sound better on Spotify</a>

'RRR', 'Kantara' and 'Gangubai Kathiawadi' feature in Oscar's reminder list

'The Kashmir Files' director <keyword id="7973063" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="vivek-ranjan-agnihotri" source="Orion">Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri</keyword>, on Thursday, announced his next film 'The <keyword id="10543274" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="vaccine-war" source="Orion">Vaccine War</keyword>.' Taking to <keyword id="819905" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="instagram" source="Orion">Instagram</keyword>, <keyword id="765" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="vivek" source="Orion">Vivek</keyword> shared a poster of the film which he captioned, "ANNOUNCEMENT: Presenting 'THE VACCINE WAR' - an incredible true story of a war that you didn't know <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> fought. And won with its science, courage &amp; great Indian values. It will release on Independence Day, 2023. In 11 languages. Please bless us. #TheVaccineWar." Helmed by Vivek, the film is slated to hit the theatres on the occasion of Independence Day 2023. Based on a true story, the official announcement of the star cast is still awaited. 'The Vaccine War' will be released in 11 languages worldwide. Soon after the director announced the film, fans swamped the comment section with fire emoticons. "Brilliant. Much deserved. Our scientists, researchers and country leadership really fought on a war scale to deliver against all the naysayers, anti-India Lutyens intellectual lobby and malicious propaganda by western media and pharma lobby. Extremely underrated achievement," a fan commented. Another fan wrote, "Wow! This looks really interesting, will ruffle many feathers the way The Kashmir Files did. All the best!." Speaking about the film Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri said, "When The Kashmir Files was postponed during the COVID lockdown, I started researching it. Then we started researching with the scientists of ICMR &amp; NIV who made our own vaccine possible. Their story of struggle and sacrifice was overwhelming and while researching we understood how these scientists fought a war waged against India not just by foreign agencies but even our own people. Yet, we won against superpowers by making fastest, cheapest and safest vaccine. I thought this story must be told so that every Indian can feel proud of their country." Moreover, he further added, "This will be India's first pure science film about a bio-war we had no idea about." 'The Vaccine War' will be facing a big Bollywood clash with John Abraham's upcoming film 'Tariq' which is also based on a true story. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/pm-to-inaugurate-bengaluru-airports-glitzy-new-terminal-2-fliers-can-now-walk-through-a-garden-to-board-a-flight/articleshow/95421616.cms">PM to inaugurate Bengaluru airport's glitzy new terminal 2 -Fliers can now walk through a garden to board a flight</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/careers/news/list-of-indian-and-global-companies-that-have-fired-their-employees-in-the-last-3-months/slidelist/95423791.cms">Here’s a list of Indian and global companies that have fired their employees in the last 3 months</a>

The Kashmir Files director Vivek Agnihotri announces new film, The Vaccine War

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/56371225.cms" /> Veteran Indian actor <keyword id="6381489" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Om-puri">Om Puri</keyword> died on Friday morning of a heart attack at his residence here, a family friend said. He was 66. 
 Filmmaker <keyword id="30014" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Vivek-Agnihotri">Vivek Agnihotri</keyword>, who was going to direct the actor in his new movie, told IANS over phone: "It is a very sad news. Om Puriji passed away after a heart attack today morning. He was at his home." 
 
"His body of work in the Indian film industry has been tremendous across the commercial and parallel genres. We've lost a great talent." 
 Actor <keyword id="6533" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Anupam-Kher">Anupam Kher</keyword>, a close friend of Om Puri, said he had spoken to him just two days ago, and the disheartening news of his demise was broken to him by filmmaker Ashoke Pandit. 
 
Kher described Om Puri as a "kind and generous" person, who spent four decades in showbiz with an undying passion towards his craft.

Veteran actor Om Puri passes away, Bollywood mourns his demise

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/48051362.cms" /> In the past few days many celebrities have raised their voice against the appointment of TV actor <keyword id="258297" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Gajendra-Chauhan">Gajendra Chauhan</keyword> as the <keyword id="2898983" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="FTII-chairman">FTII chairman</keyword>. Now film-maker <keyword id="30014" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Vivek-Agnihotri">Vivek Agnihotri</keyword>, whose political satire ‘Buddha In A Traffic Jam’ recently won the Best Original Screenplay in a foreign language award at the Madrid International Film Festival, has extended full support to FTII students. Pointing towards the qualification of Chauhan, he told Business Insider (BI) that “one can’t give a chance to a raw pilot to fly a Dreamliner and an intern to do a bypass surgery on a patient.” The controversy is very far from over; the students of the prestigious <keyword id="129188" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Film-and-Television-Institute-of-India">Film and Television Institute of India</keyword> (FTII) have been agitating for over 30 days and have declared that they would continue to protest against <keyword id="14666" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="BJP">BJP</keyword> member Chauhan’s appointment as the new head of the governing council. 

	Agnihotri, who directed movies such as ‘Hate Story’, and ‘Chocolate’, ‘Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal’, told BI: “Chauhan is not qualified for this job. I don’t care what movies he has done or their quality. What matters is that he has no track record, views, and above all vision for cinema.”
 

	Chauhan, who played the role of 'Yudhishthir' in popular television serial "Mahabharata", on his part remained unfazed and said he should be given a chance and allowed to work.
 The film-maker, whose wife actor <keyword id="6158" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Pallavi-Joshi">Pallavi Joshi</keyword> has stepped down on July 6 from the <keyword id="2929545" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="FTII-Society">FTII Society</keyword> in an expression of solidarity with students, said: “Chauhan claims he has done over 70 serials. So what? Even a junior artist does over 1,000 films.” Chauhan is not suited for the job, he said. On being asked about the role of the <keyword id="384646" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Information-and-Broadcasting-Ministry">Information and Broadcasting Ministry</keyword> in the controversial appointment, Agnihotri said: “I think I&amp;B authorities underestimated the FTII. They thought it is just an institute with few hundred scholars somewhere in Pune. Who will bother? But it (the decision to appoint Chauhan) boomeranged on them.” 

	He further said the appointment has nothing to do with syllabus or any other administrative issues. “It is about prestige of the institute which, now, everyone unanimously believe will be hampered by Chauhan’s appointment.”
 

	Justifying the strike, he said FTII students are politically more active than engineering or MBA students. In Vivek Agnihotri’s view, an alumnus of Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi, the government should not hesitate to change the chairman.
 

	One such change will set the precedence for other institutes and bring the government under pressure, he said, adding: “There will be chaos. It is a complex situation and I am sure sooner or later our pragmatic PM will intervene and find a solution.”
 Agnihotri has worked in advertising agencies including Ogilvy &amp; Mather, JWT and has been a founder member of <keyword id="2947231" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="McCann-Erickson-in-India">McCann Erickson in India</keyword>. 
	(Image: Indiatimes)

Film-maker Vivek Agnihotri says, you can’t give ‘anyone’ a chance to run FTII

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/38878069.cms" /> <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword> gets a mixed bag this week, but none too palatable and the majority flopped at the <keyword id="25892" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="box-office">box office</keyword>. A total of four movies were released on July 18 – <keyword id="1458485" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Hate-Story-2">Hate Story 2</keyword>, <keyword id="1812799" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Amit-Sahni-Ki-List">Amit Sahni Ki List</keyword>, <keyword id="2364604" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Pizza-3D">Pizza 3D</keyword> and finally, <keyword id="20397" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rajesh-Khanna">Rajesh Khanna</keyword> tribute film <keyword id="1152105" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Riyasat">Riyasat</keyword>, released on his 2nd death anniversary. But those who expected to find a superb <keyword id="2437016" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Thriller-erotica">thriller-erotica</keyword> in <keyword id="2296101" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Vishal-Pandya">Vishal Pandya</keyword>’s <keyword id="753788" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Hate-Story">Hate Story</keyword> 2 could be disappointed – neither the sizzle, nor the thrill matched the earlier Hate Story (a 2012 film directed by <keyword id="30014" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Vivek-Agnihotri">Vivek Agnihotri</keyword> and starring <keyword id="455333" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Paoli-Dam">Paoli Dam</keyword>, Gulshan Devaiah and <keyword id="8255" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Nikhil-Dwivedi">Nikhil Dwivedi</keyword>). In spite of some spirited acting by <keyword id="22533" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Surveen-Chawla">Surveen Chawla</keyword> and <keyword id="21678" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="sushant-singh">Sushant Singh</keyword>, the current movie turned out to be a mediocre <keyword id="1321184" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="revenge-drama">revenge drama</keyword> with lots of skin show, but still managed to do amazingly well at the <keyword id="827271" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Domestic-Box-Office">domestic box office</keyword>. Produced by <keyword id="24468" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bhushan-Kumar">Bhushan Kumar</keyword> and <keyword id="15260" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="vikram-bhatt">Vikram Bhatt</keyword>, Hate Story 2 netted Rs 5.46 crore on the opening Friday (trade figure stood at Rs 4.61 crore) and went on to collect Rs 15.85 crore nett in the first three days (trade figure was Rs 14.30 crore). But there was the usual Monday drop and the movie collected around Rs 2.68 crore on the fourth day (trade figure was Rs 2.11 crore), thus netting a total of Rs 18.53 crore after Day 4. 
 
Hate Story 2 hit 600 screens across the country but thanks to the fantastic business it is doing, the distributors now want it to be released in 1,200 screens pan-India, as per media reports. The opening weekend collections of Hate Story 2 were bigger than some A-list movies, including <keyword id="6377522" type="POSITION" weightage="60" keywordseo="queen">Queen</keyword>, Highway and Dedh Ishqiya, and the 15th highest in 2014. It had a budget of Rs 14 crore (cost and P&amp;A), which means the flick is making profits. Interestingly, the official trailer of Hate Story 2 crossed over 4 million views on <keyword id="10879" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="YouTube">YouTube</keyword> within four days of its launch, but if you ask us, it’s a total put-off in many ways in spite of earning more than the other three releases. 
 
In stark contrast, Vir Das-Vega Tamotia-Anindita Nayar-starrer <keyword id="2336494" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Amit-Sahni">Amit Sahni</keyword> Ki List turns out to be a refreshing <keyword id="1636016" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="rom-com">rom-com</keyword> with loads of laughter and some pertinent points about relationships. But <keyword id="664154" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ajay-Bhuyan">Ajay Bhuyan</keyword>’s directorial endeavour failed to win hearts, netting a little over Rs 3.1 crore at home after the first Monday. Pizza 3D, a remake of the 2012 Tamil <keyword id="828468" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Supernatural">supernatural</keyword> thriller, came loaded with terror bytes but earned around Rs 2.87 crore nett in the first three days. Incidentally, the Tamil version of this movie was a sleeper hit. 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/38878118.cms" /> 
 
However, the worst is Ashok Tyagi-directed Riyasat, yet another version of Mario Puzo’s Godfather and <keyword id="1076" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="superstar">superstar</keyword> Rajesh Khanna’s (<keyword id="4753" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Saheb">Saheb</keyword>) last outing. First day collections stood at a paltry Rs 36 lakh and the rest of the numbers are yet to come in. But industry insiders expect it to be a box office bomb and Khanna’s listless presence is not likely to help it. Although Aryan Vaid (Shakti), the elder son and heir, and <keyword id="15984" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Aryeman-Ramsay">Aryeman Ramsay</keyword> (his younger son <keyword id="3037" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Vijay">Vijay</keyword>) performed well, India’s first-ever superstar was completely off-colour and looked totally under the weather – hardly a fitting tribute to an <keyword id="271" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="actor">actor</keyword> of his stature. 
 
Critically speaking, Amit Sahni Ki List still tops the list in spite of the box office debacle and the shoddy treatment of an intriguing script. Here we meet Amit Sahni (<keyword id="671" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Vir-das">Vir Das</keyword>), an <keyword id="140092" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="investment-banker">investment banker</keyword> trying to find the perfect relationship and not get hurt in the process. His serio-comic vulnerability reminds one of the young gang from Dil Chahta Hai and the carefully made check list of partner’s qualities once again makes us realise life does not follow a perfect script in spite of all our efforts. But the movie loses pace in-between, loses coherence and a drab ending ultimately mars the freshness. 
 Directed by debutant <keyword id="2174779" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Akshay-Akkineni">Akshay Akkineni</keyword>, Pizza 3D captures the paranormal experiences of Kunal (<keyword id="480238" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Akshay-Oberoi">Akshay Oberoi</keyword>), a <keyword id="1079002" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="pizza-delivery-boy">pizza delivery boy</keyword> married to the <keyword id="2437008" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="horror-thriller-writer">horror thriller writer</keyword> <keyword id="741" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Nikita">Nikita</keyword> (<keyword id="12341" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Parvathy-Omanakuttan">Parvathy Omanakuttan</keyword>). What follows is a terror fest, with loads of twists and turns, leading to a climax that is spooky enough to please horror fans. However, the 3D effects did not add much to the terror elements. 
 
Overall, an average week for Bollywood, but you are bound to experience some dhamaka when Salman Khan-Jacqueline Fernandez-starrer <keyword id="6362088" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="kick">Kick</keyword> is released on July 25. 
 
Images: Indiatimes

Box Office: Hate
Story 2 Steals The Show, But Don’t Miss Amit Sahni Ki List

Allu Arjun-starrer "Pushpa: The Rise" has collected over 10 million Rubles at the box office in <keyword id="6358826" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="russia" source="Orion">Russia</keyword>, the makers said on Monday. The <keyword id="13104" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="telugu" source="Orion">Telugu</keyword> blockbuster was released in the Russian language in 774 screens across the country on December 8, said Mythri Movie Makers on its official Twitter page. "#PushpaTheRise is a RAGE in Russia. 25 days and counting of a successful run in 774 screens with a collection of over 10M Rubles," the production banner said in the tweet. Ten million Rubles amount to approximately Rs 13 crore. Also starring Rashmika Mandanna, "Pushpa: The Rise" depicts the rise of a low-wage labourer (Arjun) in the smuggling syndicate of red sandalwood, a rare wood that grows only in the Seshachalam Hills of <keyword id="37102" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="andhra-pradesh" source="Orion">Andhra Pradesh</keyword> state. It was released in India in association with Muttamsetty Media on December 17, 2021, and went on to become one of the biggest money-spinners of the year earning over Rs 350 crore. The film also opened the fifth edition of the Indian Film Festival in Russia on December 1. Arjun, Rashmika, director Sukumar Bandreddi, producer Ravi Sankar and music composer DSP attended the gala in Russia. A sequel, titled "Pushpa: The Rule", is under production. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/thelife/personalities/pel-vivienne-westwood-cyrus-mistry-pope-benedict-xvi-and-more-luminaries-who-passed-away-in-2022/slidelist/96678840.cms">Pelé, Vivienne Westwood, Cyrus Mistry, Pope Benedict XVI and more: Luminaries who passed away in 2022</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/news/anupam-kher-starts-shooting-for-vivek-agnihotris-the-vaccine-war/articleshow/96682753.cms">Anupam Kher starts shooting for Vivek Agnihotri's 'The Vaccine War'</a>

'Pushpa: The Rise' raises 10 million Rubles at Russia box office

<ul><li>Titanic and Avatar director James Cameron endorses Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Shikara. </li><li>Shikara is a ‘tribute’ to Kashmiri pandit’s forced to flee out of the Kashmir valley following insurgency. </li><li>Activists in Kashmir filed a plea in J&amp;K HC for a stay on the movie </li></ul>Titanic and Avatar director James Cameron endorsed Vidhu Vinod Chopra‘s upcoming Hindi film Shikara and called it ‘a masterpiece’. Chopra made sure that his comments are a part of the teaser that was released recently. This is not the first time that Hollywood greats have backed Chopra’s films. Oscar-winner Alfonso Cuaron had earlier endorsed Chopra’s Hollywood film, Broken Horses. Shikara tells the story of the Kashmir valley insurgency in 1990 which forced over 400,000 Kashmiri pandits to flee. It marks the debut of two newcomers Sadia and Aadil Khan in the lead roles. Chopra is also known to have filmed a few of the scenes in a refugee camp. Game of sentiments Chopra’s choice of the movie is no coincidence. The producer who made movies like Three Idiots and 1947-a love story, is a Kashmiri Pandit himself. “It is a movement,” he said, claiming that the movie is very “personal” to him. “My mother thought she would go back after two-three weeks or after a few months or next year, but she could not go back, and that smile slowly vanished," Chopra told PTI, reminiscing his personal experiences attached to the tragedy. He also claimed that the movie is a tribute to Kashmiri Pandits. “Nobody listened to us for 30 years. Our story was hidden for the past 30 years,” said Chopra at an event. A plea filed in J&amp;K HC The movie however is courting controversy as expected. A petition has been filed in the J&amp;K High Court against the movie, demanding a stay on the film’s release. The movie is expected to be released on 7 February 2019. The petitioners alleged that Chopra’s film portrayed untrue facts about Kashmir and Kashmiri Pandits in the movie. <a href="https://www.thekashmirmonitor.net/plea-against-shikara-filed-in-hc/">According to the activist </a>Iftikhar Misgar, Majid Hyderi and Irfan Hafiz Lone, who filed the PIL, the movie does not segregate between the militants and the common Kashmiris, as local Kashmiris tried to convince the Pandits of Kashmir to stay on. The movie portrays that all Kashmiri Muslims are responsible for the extradition of the pandits from Kashmir, the activist says. Chopra was born and raised in Srinagar. He had directed similar movies on the topic like Mission Kashmir in 2000 starring Sanjay Dutt, Preity Zinta and Hritik Roshan. The movie revolved around the Kashmiri insurgency in the early ’90s. This year might see many movies on the topic after the government altered the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/what-will-change-in-jammu-kashmir-after-the-end-of-article-370/articleshow/70536883.cms">special status</a> given to Jammu and Kashmir last year. Vivek Agnihotri’s film called The Kashmir Files, which also discusses “<a href="https://twitter.com/vivekagnihotri/status/1161473468912685057?s=20">the unreported story</a>” of the “wrenching genocide of Kashmiri Hindus” is due to be released in August this year.

Vidhu Vinod Chopra‘s tribute to Kashmiri Pandits earns an endorsement from Titanic director James Cameron

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/48071336.cms" />

	 The FTII controversy is getting heated up as more and more Bollywood celebrities are coming forward and debating on the issue, whether <keyword id="258297" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Gajendra-Chauhan">Gajendra Chauhan</keyword> possesses the skill to lead the prestigious institute. Apart from film-makers Kundan Shah, Aziz Mirza and Vivek Agnihotri, here are six other Bollywood celebrities who have voiced their strong reservations against Chauhan’s appointment as the <keyword id="2949645" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="FTII-chief">FTII chief</keyword>. Take a look! 
	 

	<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/48071343.cms" /> 
	 
	<keyword id="6357861" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="ranbir-kapoor">Ranbir Kapoor</keyword>: The actor backed <keyword id="129188" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Film-and-Television-Institute-of-India">Film and Television Institute of India</keyword> (FTII) students, who are protesting against Chauhan’s appointment. In a video posted on <keyword id="10879" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="YouTube">YouTube</keyword> by the FTII student body, Ranbir said that "students want to look up to someone with a body of work they can aspire to". The Bombay Velvet actor said that "the appointment of the new chairman has gone against their wishes". "Don't think what the students are asking is illogical, don't think they are asking for the moon. They are just asking for correct faculty, correct syllabus," said the 32-year-old actor. He won two consecutive Filmfare Best Actor awards for Rockstar in 2011 and Barfi in 2012. 
	 
	<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/48071349.cms" /> 
	 
	Rajkummar Rao: The National Award-winning actor has also criticised Chauhan’s appointment as the chairman, saying the premier institute needs to be in “safe hands”. The 30-year-old actor has said students need a better chief than Chauhan. The FTII alumnus said on <keyword id="6354616" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Twitter">Twitter</keyword>: “#FTII needs to be in safe hands. Students need somebody who they can trust and look up to. It is their future which is at stake here.” Rao was awarded the National Film Award for Best Actor and the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor for the 2013 biographical film Shahid. 
	 
	<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/48071356.cms" />

	 
	<keyword id="6357910" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Rishi-Kapoor">Rishi Kapoor</keyword>: The Bollywood actor has advised Chauhan to resign. He selected microblogging site Twitter to be his mouthpiece after his son, actor Ranbir Kapooor extended support to FTII students who are protesting against Chauhan’s appointment. Rishi Kapoor, who got the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008, said: “Advice. After all the protests and controversy, Gajendra Chauhan, the FTII chairman should voluntarily retire. Will do good to the students.” He added: “If they (students) don’t want you, they don’t want you. By pushing for the chairmanship is getting you nowhere. Let self pride play a role and retire!” 
	 
	<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/48071359.cms" /> 
	 
	<keyword id="6533" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Anupam-Kher">Anupam Kher</keyword>: The veteran actor has said that FTII needs a “much qualified” person than Chauhan as its chief. The former chairman of <keyword id="388113" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Central-Board-of-Film-Certification">Central Board of Film Certification</keyword> (CBFC) and <keyword id="146563" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="National-School-of-Drama">National School of Drama</keyword> (NSD) also supported the idea of converting the government institute into an autonomous body. Known for his versatility, Kher said that FTII represents a certain art form and requires a person who is supposed to know all forms of cinema. He said that Chauhan is neither qualified as producer or director nor actor to lead FTII. Kher was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2004 for his contribution to Indian cinema. 
	 
	<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/48071365.cms" /> 
	 
	<keyword id="6359106" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Nawazuddin-Siddiqui">Nawazuddin Siddiqui</keyword>: He extended support to FTII students, saying the post of chairman demands a creative person. Siddiqui told India Today: "This post demands creativity. There are people who are far more efficient. There are many options and people with such background must come forward…I am not saying that the person appointed on post has a bad background." He strongly objected the idea of privatising FTII as everyone cannot afford the fee charged by a private insitute. He received the Special Jury Award at the 60th National Film Awards 2012, for his work in films, Kahaani, Gangs of Wasseypur, Dekh Indian Circus and Talaash. 
	 
	<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/48071368.cms" /> 
	 
	<keyword id="66055" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Raj-Babbar">Raj Babbar</keyword>: The veteran actor also raised his voice against Chauhan’s appointment as FTII head. He told NDTV that one cannot appoint a chaprasi (office attendant) as school principal just because he can devote a lot of time for the institute. However, the actor clarified that it was not a comment on Chauhan's abilities. The <keyword id="1575" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Congress">Congress</keyword> spokesperson, targeting the Information and Broadcasting (I&amp;B) Ministry, said it is actually wrong to target Chauhan due to fault of the people who have appointed him as the chairman. 
	 
	(Image: ​Vipin Vaghmare and Indiatimes)

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