The International Film Festival (IFFI) 2022 ended on a somber note when jury head Israeli Filmmaker Nadav Lapid, during the concluding moments, called Vivek Agnihotri directorial The Kashmir Files a “propaganda, vulgar film.” He went on to add that he was “shocked” to see the film in the competition section of a prestigious film festival. The director, Vivek Agnihotri has not taken kindly to the comments and has lashed out against the filmmaker on a video he shared on social media.
VIVEK AGNIHOTRI SPEAKS OUT
In a clip shared on social media, Agnihotri called out the people who “stand against India” and stated, “I challenge all intellectuals of the world to prove if any scene, dialogue or event shown in the film is false, then I will quit film-making.”
He further went on to add, “Yesterday at IFFI-Goa jury chairman called The Kashmir Files propaganda. For me, this is not new, as many terrorist orgs, urban naxals & those who want to divide India say. I’m surprised that such a narrative was supported on a stage at an event by GoI.”
VIVEK’S EARLIER STATEMENT
Hours earlier, Vivek had addressed the issue stating that he will ‘speak up but at the right time,’ he remarked that the controversy had become a national issue. “It’s a national topic and I just don’t want to make comments by standing here. I will speak up,” he had said
Keeping his comments short and simple, the director concluded his statement, saying, “Koi bhi kuch bhi bol ke chala jaye…I will speak but at the right time.”
KASHMIT FILES-IFFI CONTROVERSY
The 53rd International Film Festival of India saw the jury head openly criticise the film. He said, he was ‘shocked’ upon learning that the film had won a National award.
“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,” he confessed
