A while ago it was revealed to this writer that Vivek Agnihotri’s next film is not the much awaited The Delhi Files but a film called Nautanki which he shot in Bhopal during the lockdown with his friends Anupam Kher and Satish Kaushik.
However Vivek clarifies that he is no longer associated with Nautanki.
Says Vivek, “During the first lockdown, in August 2020 my dear friend Anupam Kher asked me to help him out with a play which they wanted to shoot as a small film. I did help with the shooting and with the first cut as a friendly gesture without charging a penny.”
That was the end of his association with Nautanki.
Says Vivek, “After the shoot was over, it was taken over by the producers and and I have no idea about what they did with the final film and I am in no way associated with it anymore unless Anupam needs my help with the film.”
Vivek reveals this is not the first time he has helped out a project. “ I do help a lot of people with many things as friendly gesture. To me filmmaking has never been about money. Earlier also I had helped Anubhav Sinha’s Zid, which I had left after first schedule and it was finished by director Anubhav Sinha. Later he sent a cheque to use my name and not to tell anyone that I didn’t direct the film. I refused to take the cheque and he immorally and unethically used my name to market the film. But then I say, it ok, if I can be of any help to anyone it’s no big deal.”