Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri was in the national capital to launch his first book as an author titled 'Urban Naxals'- The Making of Buddha in a Traffic Jam. Losing hope to release his film' Buddha in a Traffic Jam' in a hostile industry, Agnihotri decided to take it on a roadshow, screening it across the country at top 45 universities and educational institutes. Thus begins a journey of resistance, opposition, humiliation, sabotage, threats and physical attacks. Urban Naxals is the riveting saga of a filmmaker's struggle and conviction, the behind the scenes story of the making of the award winning film.
The book was launched by the current Union Textiles Minister, Government of India- Smt. Smriti Irani. Smt. Smriti took to social media at the launch of the book and said "Delighted to launch the book ‘Urban Naxals,’ authored by filmmaker @vivekagnihotri based on his observations and experiences during the making of his film ‘Buddha in a Traffic Jam’".
India's 'Naxal Maoists' are listed among one of the top terror groups in the world. Earlier considered only active in jungles and remote places, Agnihotri unmasks the vast urban network, including leftist academia, media, NGOs and intellectuals, which supports and fuels this terror- starting from his own professor in college days. These are the Urban Naxals, who remain anonymous and homogeneous within the country and outside, influencing opinions and shaping public opinion. They may not carry weapons as their ammunition but collectively they form a far superior force which attacks public minds. Its a topic rarely explored- in film, or in a book.
About the Book:-
Rejected by the studios. Abandoned by the producers. Resisted by the elite gatekeepers. After being canned for 5 years, Buddha in a Traffic Jam, turned out to be a prophetic cult film. Losing hope to release the film in a hostile industry, Agnihotri decided to take it on a roadshow, screening it across India's top 45 universities and institutes. Thus begins a journey of resistance, opposition, humiliation, sabotage, threats and physical attacks. Urban Naxals is the riveting saga of a filmmakers struggle and conviction, the behind the scenes story of the making of the award winning film.
India's naxal 'Maoists' are listed among one of the top terror groups in the world. Earlier considered only active in jungles and remote places, Agnihotri unmasks the vast urban network, including leftist academia, media, NGOs and intellectuals, which supports and fuels this terror- starting from his owm professor in college days. These are the Urban Naxals, a topic rarely explored- in film, or in a book.
About the author- Vivek Agnihotri:-
Vivek is an award winning filmmaker and writer. A public speaker and an opinion leader in a highly partisan and aggressive environment in current times which is fueled by social media. An ex-advertising man, Vivek is a very popular public speaker on socio-political issues and lectures on 'Creative Thinking' and 'Innovation' in top global institutes.
His prophetic film 'Buddha in a Traffic Jam' dealt with the theme of Urban Naxalism and exposed the sinister nexus between the Naxals, Media, NGOs and academia. The film faced extreme resistance from the Left and was stuck for five years before Vivek traveled across India to show his film, facing violent attempts to curb his freedom of speech. Vivek is an avid traveler, columnist and a social media influencer. He is married to national award winning actor Pallavi Joshi and has two children.