New Delhi- In a scathing video posted on X (formerly Twitter), Amit Jani, the producer of the controversial film Udaipur Files, has publicly condemned the Hindu community for the movie's failure at the box office. The film, which chronicles the 2022 murder of tailor Kanhaiya Lal in Udaipur by Islamist extremists, was released on August 8, but has struggled to attract audiences, reportedly collecting only around Rs 1-2 crore in its opening days despite widespread promotion. Jani accused Hindus of being "dead and sleeping," prioritizing entertainment films over those highlighting communal issues, and failing to support efforts for justice in cases like Kanhaiya Lal's.

In the video shared on his X account @AmitJaniIND, Jani expressed deep frustration, stating, "Hindus are born to die... What difference does it make? On the day your neck is cut, even then no dog will cry." He further lambasted the community for eagerly watching mainstream Bollywood releases like "Saiyaara", and Coolie, while ignoring Udaipur Files.

"You have money for those films... You gave money to Saiyaara film, now give it to Coolie," he ranted, adding that Hindus lack the time or resources,claiming they couldn't spare "100-200 rupees" to watch a film meant to awaken them to threats like jihad. Jani concluded by saying jihad had "spit on the efforts for Sanatan and justice for Kanhaiya Lal ji," directly blaming the community's apathy for the film's impending removal from theaters.

Prior to the release, Jani had actively appealed to Hindus on X to support the film, emphasizing its role in exposing the "truth" about the murder and urging the community to rally against perceived censorship and threats. Posts from his account and supporters highlighted the film's struggles, including legal hurdles, court stays, and alleged poster vandalism by opponents. However, the post-release backlash from Jani marks a stark shift, with him calling Hindus "slaves" to commercial cinema and warning that without support, such awareness-driven projects would cease. The video has garnered over many likes and sparked mixed reactions, with some users defending the film while others criticized Jani's abusive tone.

The film's poor performance comes amid broader controversies, including pre-release threats to Jani, prompting the Indian government to grant him Y-category security cover by the CRPF in July. Despite starring actor Vijay Raaz and positioning itself as "anti-terrorist" rather than "anti-Muslim," Udaipur Files faced delays due to censorship battles and a Delhi High Court stay just before its intended July release. Box office analysts attribute the flop to limited appeal, competition from big-ticket releases, and mixed reviews, but Jani insists it's a reflection of Hindu indifference.

Who is Amit Jani

Amit Jani, is a self-described Hindu activist and film producer based in Uttar Pradesh. He founded the Hindu Action Force and serves as president of the Uttar Pradesh Navnirman Sena, a regional political outfit. A graduate in commerce and law from Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, Jani runs a hotel business and contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Giridih, Jharkhand, on his party's ticket, declaring assets worth around Rs 2.74 crore at the time. However, Jani has a checkered legal history with multiple criminal charges. As of his 2019 election affidavit, he faced nine cases, including four under IPC Section 153A for promoting enmity between groups on religious grounds, three under 153B for prejudicial acts against national integration, and serious offenses like attempt to murder (IPC 307), criminal intimidation (IPC 506), mischief by fire (IPC 436), and outraging religious feelings (IPC 295A). In 2012, he was arrested and jailed for vandalizing statues of former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati in Lucknow, an act that brought him notoriety. Additionally, in 2017, his group posted inflammatory banners in western Uttar Pradesh calling for a boycott of Kashmiri traders, leading to further controversy. Other cases include theft (2004), dacoity (2010), rioting, and showing black flags to politicians like Rahul Gandhi and Ajit Singh in 2011-2012. Jani has also received threats over his films, filing a petition in the Bombay High Court in 2023 regarding a project on Seema Haider. Despite these charges, he positions himself as a defender of Hindu causes through his activism and filmmaking.