The cultural and political spheres of India are buzzing with anticipation as the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is poised to open its grand doors on Monday, in a momentous event signifying a historic milestone. The temple’s inauguration is set to be a gala affair graced by the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and nearly 8000 distinguished guests from various domains such as politics, sports, religion, and the film industry. Among the A-list invitees is Vivek Agnihotri, the acclaimed director known for the highly talked-about film, ‘The Kashmir Files.’
However, in an unexpected turn, Vivek Agnihotri has announced that he will be absent from the high-profile inauguration of the Ram Mandir. The director took to social media platform X (previously known as Twitter) to convey his regret for not being able to join the pivotal ‘Pran Patishtha’ ceremony at the temple.
Agnihotri shared his invitation on social media and accompanied it with heartfelt words expressing his disappointment at missing the ceremony. The director underscored his astonishment at the meticulous planning and the follow-up from the office of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, saying, “I was pleasantly surprised to receive many follow-up calls from the office of CM @myogiadityanath Ji. The lady asked me for travel details in an extremely warm but professional manner. Mighty impressed with the way technology is used to ensure a comfortable and safe visit for all.”
In addition to this, Agnihotri publicly shared his reasons for not attending, stating that due to unavoidable commitments, he would not be present in India when the Ram Mandir inauguration takes place. “It’s unfortunate that I am not being able to attend #PranPratishtha as I am not in Bharat on 22nd Jan for some inevitable reason, and only Ram ji knows how sad I am. #RamMandir,” Vivek lamented on his social media, without disclosing the specifics of his commitments that necessitated his presence abroad.
Despite his absence, the director commended the organization and security measures deployed to ensure a comfortable and safe visit for all attendees. The presence of so many follow-up calls truly underscored the commitment to hospitality and thoroughness from the event’s organizers.
While Vivek Agnihotri may be far from the festivities, a constellation of film industry stars will light up the event. Personalities such as Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, Chiranjeevi, Ram Charan, Dhanush, Akshay Kumar, Kangana Ranaut, Randeep Hooda, Jackie Shroff, Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, Ayushmann Khurrana, and Anushka Sharma, have all been invited to mark their presence at Ayodhya for the ceremony.
Amidst these preparations, another prominent figure in the Indian film industry, Anupam Kher, has been vocal about his participation. A staunch supporter of the ruling government and celebrated actor, Kher took to Instagram with a video sharing his enthusiasm about his visit to Ayodhya. Addressing his audience, he noted, “It is a big day for devotees from across the world,” encapsulating the grand religious and socio-cultural significance the inauguration holds for many.
As the sacred city of Ayodhya prepares to celebrate this historic occasion, one can sense the amalgamation of devotion, stardom, and political camaraderie converging at the birthplace of Lord Ram. Even as Vivek Agnihotri will not be in attendance, his spirit will be with the thousands gathering to witness the temple’s consecration—a moment that many believe is not just about a structure of faith, but also about a collective reaffirmation of cultural heritage and unity.
