John Abraham doesn't deserve to be paid in crores, says Kashmir Files director Vivek Agnihotri. 'He asked..'

Economic Times

6 days ago

Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
Concerns Over John Abraham's Performance
Personal Issues Spilled Onto the Set
Creative Vision Overshadowed by Celebrity Influence
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
Commercial Outcome and Future Plans
( Originally published on Jun 21, 2025 )
Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri , who is often known for his bold viewpoints and politically intense narratives, has once again touched upon the turbulent creative journey of his 2007 sports drama Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal . In a recent conversation with Dainik Bhaskar, he spoke frankly about the disputes that occurred during the making of the film—particularly the disagreements with screenwriter Anurag Kashyap and the disappointments surrounding lead actor John Abraham 's performance. Agnihotri's remarks pull back the curtain on how hierarchical pressures and celebrity-driven decisions can derail the original vision of a film.The director did not hold back when discussing John Abraham, the lead actor of the film. According to Agnihotri, the actor—who later starred in films like Ek Villain Returns—struggled with his dialogues. He alleged that John requested his lines be shortened, which suggested to the director a lack of preparedness or ability to deliver extended dialogues fluently. Agnihotri seemed particularly disturbed by the idea of high remuneration for actors who, in his view, were unwilling to meet basic acting expectations.'If an actor asks for reduced lines because he can't deliver five sentences in rhythm, then why is he being paid crores?" he told the publication.Adding to the strain, Agnihotri recalled a tense emotional environment during the shoot, as John Abraham was reportedly undergoing a breakup with then-girlfriend Bipasha Basu . The director explained that the emotional fallout between the couple had a ripple effect on the film's atmosphere, making it even more difficult for him to maintain focus and steer the team forward.Agnihotri lamented that the original promise of Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal was undermined by various artistic sacrifices. While the movie featured a catchy soundtrack and carried the potential for success, it ended up being bogged down by off-screen drama, egotistical demands, and insufficient dedication from key players. He remarked that when energy is redirected from script integrity and cinematic storytelling toward accommodating inflated egos and managing underperformance, the soul of a film inevitably suffers.When the film was released in 2007, it received mixed reactions and failed to make a lasting mark at the box office. According to Sacnilk, it collected around Rs 18 crore in gross revenue. The underwhelming performance reinforced Agnihotri's sense of lost potential. Presently, he is preparing for the release of The Bengal Files, a film that follows his controversial yet commercially triumphant The Kashmir Files, continuing his pattern of provocative cinema.John Abraham's most recent appearance was in the political drama The Diplomat, a film directed by Shivam Nair and penned by Ritesh Shah. The story delves into the complex world of diplomatic missions, unraveling the emotional and moral dilemmas faced by diplomats navigating the strained relations between India and Pakistan. Despite its intense subject and star power, the film failed to make an impact at the box office. With a production budget of ₹50 crore, it managed to collect only ₹53 crore, rendering it a commercial disappointment. Abraham is now gearing up for his upcoming projects — Tehran and Tariq — both of which are expected to showcase him in equally gripping roles.