Vivek Agnihotri on casting Nana Patekar in The Vaccine War: Approached him with fear...

Makers of The Vaccine War unveiled the film's official trailer on September 12. The movie will feature Nana Patekar, Pallavi Joshi, Raima Sen, and Anupam Kher in prominent roles. During the trailer launch, Vivek Agnihotri spoke to ANI and opened up on casting Nana Patekar as the main lead. Patekar was accused in the Me Too movement by actress Tanushree Dutta. She had also filed an FIR against him in 2008 for allegedly "sexually abusing" her. 

3 things you need to know

• Nana Patekar will be making his comeback in Hindi films after a gap of six years.
• The actor will essay the role of ICMR ex-director general Balram Bhargava.
• Vivek Agnihotri's The Vaccine War will hit theaters on September 28.

Vivek Agnihotri on casting Nana Patekar in his film

During the interview, Vivek Agnihotri talked about casting Nana Patekar in The Vaccine War and said "We wanted to cast someone who has always put his heart and soul into the making of films. Suddenly, Nana Patekar struck my mind. He is one actor in our industry who has never played a bad role in his career. He is the one actor who has always been dedicated to his craft. I approached him for the film with great fear considering his stature but he agreed."

(Vivek Agnihotri says he wanted Nana Patekar in the film as he puts his heart and soul in the role | Image: X)

Nana Patekar will be making a comeback in Hindi film with The Vaccine War after a gap of six years. The actor was seemingly sidelined after his Horn ‘Ok’ Pleassss (2007) co-star Tanushree Dutta accused him of sexual harrassment. During the trailer launch event of The Vaccine War on September 12, Nana Patekar talked about his comeback in Hindi films.

He said, "The industry was never closed for me. The industry never closes its doors on you. If you want to do good work, they’ll come to you and ask you. You have to decide if you can do it, if you want to do it or not. I feel this is my first and last chance, and utni hi jaan daalni chaahiye usmein. Everybody gets work (here), it depends on you if you want to do it or not.”

Vivek Agnihotri opens up about his film

Filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri on Tuesday claimed his directorial The Vaccine War will "expose the usual suspects" who tried to sabotage the development of an indigenous vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic for their political agenda. 

The film, according to the director, is India's "first ever bio-science" movie. It is based on the true story of Indian scientists in their fight against COVID-19 by developing an affordable vaccine for India and the world, he added.

The Vaccine War doesn't shy away from naming a few politicians as well as prominent journalists who promoted foreign vaccines, Agnihotri said. "At that time, it was very unfortunate that some people were selling India and our lives -- some people were getting money to promote foreign vaccines and they were trying to sabotage the Indian vaccine for their political agenda."

"The names taken are the 'usual suspects', they're always standing against anything that's in the interest of the country. So, obviously, if we're making a film called 'The Vaccine War', the enemies of India will be exposed," the director said at the trailer launch of the film here.

(With inputs from PTI)