The long-standing creative rift between filmmakers Vivek Agnihotri and Anurag Kashyap has resurfaced, with both directors publicly trading barbs over their collaboration on the 2007 film Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal. In a recent interview with Digital Commentary, The Kashmir Files director Vivek Agnihotri revisited his experience of working with Anurag Kashyap, calling the environment “difficult” due to Anurag’s alleged alcoholism and erratic behavior.
Recalling the early days of the project, Vivek said, “Anurag was the writer on Goal. Initially, Saif Ali Khan and Priyanka Chopra were set to headline it, but Saif had to drop out due to personal reasons. Eventually, John Abraham and Bipasha Basu stepped in. At the time, Anurag was drinking heavily and had no concept of time. He brought Vikramaditya Motwane on board, saying, ‘He’s my RK boy, he’ll help.’ Gradually, all writing work went to Vikram. What I envisioned was entirely different from what they wanted to create. We were at constant odds.”
Vivek alleged that the shift in creative control led to conflict with the production house. “It became hard to manage Anurag. Only an alcoholic knows what another alcoholic is going through. It turned into a serious problem,” he said.
In response, Anurag Kashyap hit back on Instagram, calling Vivek a “big-time liar.” Sharing a screenshot of a news article, Anurag wrote, “He is such a liar. The shooting happened in London and I was in India. He didn’t want the script from me or Motwane. He wanted to make a Lagaan of football and brought his own writer to pen that crappy script. Neither I nor Motwane ever went on set.”
Vikramaditya Motwane, for his part, had earlier recounted the experience in an interview with Mid-Day, saying he was brought in by Anurag due to his knowledge of football. “UTV wanted a good writer, and Anurag said, ‘I don’t know football, but this guy does.’ I wrote it, and they were happy. But the film that got made wasn’t what Anurag or I had envisioned. At that time, you just took work when it came. Still, I think the original script is one of the best things I’ve written.”
Produced by UTV Motion Pictures, Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal starred John Abraham, Bipasha Basu, Arshad Warsi, and Boman Irani. Despite moderate box office success, it was overshadowed by the massive popularity of Chak De! India was released the same year.
What’s Next for the Directors?
Vivek Agnihotri is currently gearing up for The Delhi Files – Bengal Chapter, featuring Mithun Chakraborty. Meanwhile, Anurag Kashyap will appear as the antagonist in Dacoit: A Love Story, alongside Adivi Sesh and Mrunal Thakur. The film’s release date is yet to be announced.