New Delhi: At the trailer launch event of his forthcoming film, “The Vaccine War,” veteran actor Nana Patekar made comments that have ignited speculation about their intended targets. While discussing the current film landscape, Patekar seemed to take a veiled swipe at recent blockbusters like “Jawan” and “Gadar 2,” suggesting that audiences are being compelled to embrace mediocre cinema.
Patekar is set to make his return to the big screen in Vivek Agnihotri’s “The Vaccine War,” a movie based on the true story of Indian scientists. It’s being hailed as India’s first-ever bio-science film and its trailer was unveiled by the filmmakers on Tuesday. During the trailer launch, Nana Patekar made remarks that some have interpreted as a critique of recent hit films “Jawan” and “Gadar 2.”
He commented on how the landscape of cinema has evolved, stating that the lines between commercial and parallel cinema have blurred, largely due to the influence of OTT platforms. Patekar remarked, “So, the era of parallel cinema no longer exists. What prevails now is the kind of thoughts you entertain. Nowadays, certain kinds of films are becoming hits. Recently, a film became a huge hit. I went to watch it. I couldn’t sit through the entire film. But that film is doing exceptionally well.”
He went on to say, “Since it has worked, I feel that we’ll repeatedly make such films and compel viewers to like such films.” This comment has led to speculation about whether he was alluding to the recent successes of Shah Rukh Khan’s “Jawan” or Sunny Deol’s “Gadar 2.”
Furthermore, during the same event, Patekar indirectly touched upon the topic of nepotism in the film industry. He noted that insiders often introduce their children to the audience, continuing to support them until moviegoers begin to overlook their flaws. Eventually, these star kids gain acceptance from the public.
“The Vaccine War” is slated for release in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu on September 28, marking Nana Patekar’s return to the silver screen after a hiatus. The film, directed by Vivek Agnihotri, promises to offer a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs of Indian scientists.
