Video: Agnihotri had visualised JNU scenes three years ago

Lucknow: The recent developments at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) were foreseen by writer/director Vivek Agnihotri three years ago. It may sound strange to you but, it is true. He had penned down the complete scenario in the story of his forthcoming film ‘Buddha in a traffic jam’.

In an exclusive interview with newztrack.com, Agnihotri talked about his upcoming film, which is scheduled to be released on May 13:

What kind of film is Buddha in a traffic jam?

The film was completed back in 2013. When I received the sensor certificate for it in 2014, my peers were like ... “what kind of unrealistic movie is that?”

Later, the story was highly appreciated when something of the same kind happened at JNU in 2016. That was when a lot many people complimented my ‘futuristic’ writing.

The film revolves around exploitation of students in politics. It shows how the anti-social elements force students towards terrorism and left-orientation, precisely visualising the happenings of JNU.

What is the message of your film?

After months of research, I came to a conclusion that India is endangered by ‘intellectual terrorism’ more than anything. I wrote the story of the film keeping in mind the current scenario of academic institutions and the theories of several student unions.

Coincidentally, after three years of completing the film, the selfsame what I penned down came into being at the JNU campus in Delhi.

The message I want to convey through my film is that the high time has come when the nation should care about its future, nurturing the students rather than exploiting them for political benefits.

You always come up with such innovative ideas for films, where do you get inspiration from?

Repeating themes into films is definitely not my cup of tea. I think I have a blue-sky thinking that makes me strive for innovation in my films.

Are you looking forward to shooting any of your films in Uttar Pradesh?

A major problem to shoot in UP is that the crowds of spectators are hard to tackle. Besides, it is a beautiful state and I would love to shoot here if demanded by any of my scripts.

Moreover, I really want a film city to be established in the state capital as it will make shooting in UP more convenient.

I am a native of Kanpur and more than half of my family members hail from the state.