Report on Professional Dispute and its Intersection with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A professional dispute between filmmakers Vivek Agnihotri and Anurag Kashyap, originating from the 2007 film “Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal,” has resurfaced. This report analyzes the conflict through the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting its relevance to health, decent work, and institutional justice.

Conflict Background and Allegations

• Vivek Agnihotri has publicly alleged that Anurag Kashyap’s alcohol consumption negatively impacted the production of the 2007 film.
• Agnihotri claims that Kashyap’s responsibilities were consequently delegated to another writer, Vikramaditya Motwane.
• Anurag Kashyap has refuted these claims, stating he was not present at the international location of the shoot and that the script divergence was due to creative differences.
• The ongoing public exchange underscores a long-standing professional disagreement without a formal resolution mechanism.

Analysis through Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The core allegations directly pertain to SDG Target 3.5, which aims to strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including the harmful use of alcohol.

• The dispute highlights the potential impact of substance abuse on professional environments and productivity.
• Mr. Agnihotri’s statement, “my film suffered because of his alcoholism,” frames the issue as a direct impediment to project success, underscoring the importance of well-being for sustainable creative and economic output.
• The discussion, regardless of the veracity of the claims, brings attention to health and well-being as critical components of a functional work environment within the film industry.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The conflict serves as a case study for challenges in achieving decent work and productive employment as outlined in SDG 8.

1. Workplace Environment: The allegations point to a breakdown in the professional environment, affecting project delivery and collaboration. This undermines the principles of a safe and secure working environment (Target 8.8).
2. Contractual Integrity: The dispute over whether work was delegated without consent touches upon the reliability of professional contracts and the expectation of fulfilling agreed-upon duties.
3. Economic Impact: The reported suffering of the film project illustrates how unresolved personal and professional conflicts can lead to economic inefficiencies and hinder the growth of creative industries.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The public nature of the feud, conducted through media interviews and social media, reflects a gap in effective conflict resolution mechanisms, a key aspect of SDG 16.

• The absence of a private or institutional mediation process has led to a trial by public opinion rather than a structured, just resolution.
• This situation highlights the need for stronger industry-level institutions capable of arbitrating professional disputes, thereby promoting peaceful and inclusive societies within professional spheres.
• The conflicting narratives (“jhootha aadmi” vs. “that’s also truth”) demonstrate a breakdown in accountability and trust, which strong institutions are meant to uphold.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The article’s central theme is the allegation of alcoholism. It discusses “heavy drinking,” “alcoholism,” and the personal and professional consequences of substance abuse (“my film suffered because of his alcoholism”). This directly connects to the goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• The dispute originates from a professional context—the making of a film. The article details how alleged alcoholism impacted work, leading to claims of unfulfilled duties (“palmed off all the work to Vikram”), lack of productivity (“he couldn’t be trusted”), and a difficult working environment (“we were at loggerheads”). These issues relate to productive employment and safe working environments.

Relevant SDG Targets

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

1. Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.

• The article repeatedly refers to the “harmful use of alcohol” through terms like “alcoholism” and “heavy drinker.” The entire conflict described stems from the alleged negative impacts of such use. Vivek Agnihotri also mentions his own past, stating, “I, too, used to drink heavily at one point, and many of my works suffered because of it,” directly highlighting the theme of substance abuse.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

1. Target 8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers.

• The article describes a working environment that became problematic and insecure due to alleged substance abuse. Phrases like “He became difficult to handle,” “we were at loggerheads,” and “my film suffered” point to a breakdown in a secure and productive professional setting, which this target aims to prevent.

Implied Indicators for SDG Targets

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being (Target 3.5)

1. Indicator (Implied): Prevalence and impact of harmful use of alcohol.

• While no quantitative data is provided, the article uses qualitative descriptions as indicators of the harmful use of alcohol. These include statements that Anurag Kashyap “was a heavy drinker,” his alcoholism “became a very big problem,” and that Vivek Agnihotri’s own work had previously “suffered because of it.” These narratives serve as anecdotal evidence of the problem the target seeks to address.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth (Target 8.8)

1. Indicator (Implied): Frequency of workplace disputes arising from unsafe or unproductive conditions.

• The public feud itself is an indicator of a breakdown in the working environment. Specific claims like Anurag having “palmed off all the work to Vikram,” not being able to do his work, and the production house having to intervene are all markers of an insecure and dysfunctional work situation that this target aims to mitigate.

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: indianexpress.com