No one can deny that The Kashmir Files shook the whole nation when it hit the theatres. Vivek Agnihotri’s directorial, which is based on the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, left many stunned as it captured a glimpse of the horrific incident. The movie, which became one of the highest-grossing Indian movies of 2022, again surfaced in news.
Recently, at the 53rd International Film Festival of India IFFI) in Goa, a jury called the Anupam Kher starrer movie vulgar and propaganda-driven. And, in no time, the comments set the whole internet on fire. Many netizens along with celebrities took to social media to express their views.
‘The Kashmir Files felt like a propaganda, vulgar movie’: Jury Head, Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid
During his speech, Nadav Lapid said, “All of us were disturbed and shocked by the 15th film, The Kashmir Files. That felt like a propaganda, vulgar movie, inappropriate for an artistic competitive section of such a prestigious film festival. I feel totally comfortable to openly share these feelings here with you on this stage. In the spirit of this festival, can surely also accept a critical discussion, which is essential for art and life.”
#Breaking: #IFFI Jury says they were “disturbed and shocked” to see #NationalFilmAward winning #KashmirFiles, “a propoganda, vulgar movie” in the competition section of a prestigious festival— organised by the Govt of India.
— Navdeep Yadav (@navdeepyadav321) November 28, 2022
🎤 Over to @vivekagnihotri sir…
@nadavlapi pic.twitter.com/ove4xO8Ftr
This statement set the internet on fire. From celebrities to netizens, many came forward to share their views.
Anupam Kher was seen in a video shared by ANI saying, “About The Kashmir Files, I would tell that individual that may God give him wisdom. I would just say that because speaking of such matters outside a temple isn’t right. We’ll give a proper reply to it. If holocaust is right, the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits is right too. It seems pre-planned as immediately after that the toolkit gang became active.”
#WATCH | Anupam Kher speaks to ANI on Int’l Film Festival of India Jury Head remarks for ‘Kashmir Files’, “…If holocaust is right, the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits is right too. Seems pre-planned as immediately after that the toolkit gang became active. May God give him wisdom..” pic.twitter.com/cUQ1bqzFs7
— ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2022
“It’s shameful for him to make a statement like this. Jews have suffered Holocaust and he comes from that community. For him to make such a statement, he has also pained those people who have been victims of this tragedy many years ago. May God give him wisdom so that he does not further his agenda on stage using the sufferings of thousands,” he added.
Here’s what the film’s director Vivek Agnihotri’s cryptic message read:
GM.
— Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) November 29, 2022
Truth is the most dangerous thing. It can make people lie. #CreativeConsciousness
Here’s what other celebs and netizens said:
The singling out of a film and the language used to describe it is completely unbecoming of a film jury or critic. It reeks of politics. Cinema has always been the harbinger of truth & change, not an agent to stifle or snuff it. Shameful display of political opportunism at #IFFI.
— Ranvir Shorey (@RanvirShorey) November 28, 2022
Truth is ‘vulgar’, because it makes them uncomfortable. Perhaps, it makes them realise the vulgarity of their own denial. https://t.co/tB70b4xtF8
— Nivedita Tiwari (@TiwariNivedita) November 28, 2022
As Kashmiri Pandit Univ student, I was mocked by lecturer for speaking up about annihilation, discouraged to document Muslim fundamentalists, terror dismissed as ‘class struggle’.
— Pooja Shali (@PoojaShali) November 29, 2022
For us, The Kashmir Files was- finally someone- cared to listen & dared to project as is, on cinema.
The Kashmir Files may have poor storytelling, cinematography, direction or acting. But it isn’t propaganda. It’s the story of real people & events that are a matter of public record. India would never tell Israelis that their history is fake, they must grant us the same courtesy.
— Hardik Rajgor (@Hardism) November 29, 2022
Israel’s Ambassador responds to compatriot filmmaker Nadav Lapid’s criticism of Kashmir Files. For the longest time, people even denied the Holocaust and called Schindler’s List a propaganda, just like some are doing to Kashmir Files.
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) November 29, 2022
Truth eventually triumphs, no matter what… https://t.co/duU36qNjDg
Forget about Vivek Agnihotri, I openly challenge anyone who is calling “The Kashmir Files” a propaganda film, tell me a single scene which has no reference or is based on a lie!
— Vishal Chaturvedi #विष (@filmervishal) November 28, 2022
Bigotry is at its peak.
A Jewish man, on Indian soil, says The Kashmir Files is vulgar and propaganda. Can you imagine a Kashmiri Hindu, on Israeli soil, calling Schindler’s List the same? https://t.co/oRMjPHlNJm
— Rajiv Pandit (@rajiv_pandit) November 28, 2022
Girija Tickoo was indeed put on a saw machine. During Wandhama massacre, when Hindu parents asked Islamists to spare their kids, they killed the kids and spared the parents. #TheKashmirFiles is no vulgar propaganda. It is the naked truth.
— Divya Kumar Soti (@DivyaSoti) November 29, 2022
But the internet is divided as some seem to agree with Nadav Lapid!
Apparently it’s pretty clear to the world ..https://t.co/VQGH6eKcj6
— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) November 28, 2022
I m glad that the IFFI jury recognizes real art and has clearly stated what The Kashmir Files in reality is. Propaganda that was promoted by all the ministers. #KashmirFiles
— Rakhi Tripathi (@rakhitripathi) November 28, 2022
Even the producer of the movie, Pallavi Joshi released the statement:
What do you think? Tell us in the comments below.