Anupam Kher-starrer 2020 film ‘The Kashmir Files’ is making headlines yet again after International Film Festival of India (IFFI) jury head Nadav Lapid termed the movie ‘vulgar’ and ‘propaganda’, sparking off political debate in the country. Ever since the movie’s release, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress have been at loggerheads, expressing contrasting views about the film.
Now once again, both the parties are standing polls apart when it comes to reacting to the statement made by Nadav Lapid. While BJP leaders are condemning the remark, Congress has come out in support and termed the movie “BJP propaganda”.
The whole debate started after IFFI 2022 jury head 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.”
Congress, Shiv Sena support Nadav Lapid
Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi, who was earlier a Congress spokesperson, supported Lapid’s comment. She tweeted, “A sensitive issue of justice for Kashmiri Pandits was sacrificed at the altar of propaganda. This is a must listen segment.”
Sanjay Raut, a key leader of the Uddhav Thackeray faction of Shiv Sena, also echoed the support. He said, “It’s true about KashmirFiles. There was propaganda by one party against another. A party&Govt was busy with publicity. But maximum number of killings in Kashmir occurred after this film. Kashmir Pandits, security personnel were killed.”
He added, ” Where were these Kashmir Files people then? The children of Kashmiri Pandits were also agitating, where were they then? Nobody came forward then, nor were there plans for a Kashmir Files 2.0 – make that too.”
Congress leader Rizwan Arshad said, “It’s a movie promoted and produced by the BJP and doesn’t have any factual connection to what actually happened, it was a propoganda and it has been called out.”
BJP calls it truth
BJP leader Amit Malviya tweeted, “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. Truth eventually triumphs, no matter what…”
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said “I condemn the statement of jury chairman. He misused the platform. NFTC should take cognizance. Indian Government should take strict action. He should have not given such statement.”
IFFI issues clarification
The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) today issued a clarification after its jury head Nadav Lapid called the Anupam Kher-starrer ‘The Kashmir Files’ a ‘propaganda’ and a ‘vulgar movie’. The IFFI has distanced itself from the statement, calling it “completely his personal opinion”.
One of the jury members and filmmaker Sudipto Sen took tweeted, “Whatever has been said by IFFI 2022 Jury Chairman Mr Nadav Lapid about the film, The Kashmir Files, from the stage of closing ceremony of 53-rd IFFI was completely his personal opinion. In the offiial presentation of the Jury Board to the Festival Director and in the official Press Conference, where we 4 juries (the fifth jury had to leave for her personal emergency) were present and interacted with the press, we never mentioned anything about our likes or dislikes. Both were our official collective opinion (sic).”
He further added, “As juror, we are assigned to judge the technical, aesthetic quality and socio-cultural relevance of a film. We don’t indulge in any kind of political comments on any film and if it is done, it is completely in personal capacity – nothing to do with the esteemed Jury Board (sic).
