‘The Kashmir Files’ is a vulgar and ‘propaganda’ movie

• A Controversy has arisen because of the criticism of the Film ‘The Kashmir Files’ by Israel’s Film Maker and the Head Jury of the International Film Festival Nadav Lapid.
• Goa’s Pramod Sawant and BJP’s spokesperson expressed their disapproval of Nadav Lapid’s criticism
• The other members of the Festival’s Jury have distanced themselves from that statement !
• Israel’s Ambassador to India has apologised to the organisers of the festival.

Panaji (Goa) – The head of the jury of the 53^rd International Film Festival in Goa, Nadav Lapid, slammed Vivek Agnihotri’s film ‘The Kashmir Files’ which portrays the exodus of Kashmiri Pundits in the 1990s and allegedly held Muslims solely responsible for the persecution of Hindus in the hill State, is one-sided and vulgar. After this arose a storm of criticism against Filmmaker Nadav Lapid’s statements. Goa’s Chief Minister Dr Pramod Samant and BJP Spokesman Savio Rodrigues have both condemned this statement.  The jury members of the International Film Festival have distanced themselves from it and said that it is ‘Lapid’s individual opinion’. Israel’s Ambassador to India Naor Gilon has criticised Lapid and apologised to the Indians about Lapid’s statement.

What did Nadav Lapid say ?

(Credit : MOJO STORY)

During his address, at the closure ceremony on 29^th November, Lapid said, “It seemed to us like a propagandist movie inappropriate for an artistic, competitive section of such a prestigious film festival. This was the opinion of all the jury and we felt totally uncomfortable seeing the film”.

This is not just a film, it is a movement ! – Anupam Kher, Actor

The film ‘The Kashmir Files’ is a thorn in the throat of some. This thorn cannot be removed from the throat, nor does it dissolve by itself. ‘The Kashmir Files’ is not a Film; it is a movement. The ‘toolkit’ (a methodology to propagate a particular ideology) gang can try its utmost, but it cannot hide the truth that the Film is telling.

‘कश्मीर फ़ाइल्स’ का सच कुछ लोगो के गले में एक काँटे की तरह अटक गया है।वो ना उसे निगल पा रहे है ना उगल! इस सच को झूठा साबित करने के लिए उनकी आत्मा,जो मर चुकी है, बुरी तरह से छटपटा रही है।पर हमारी ये फ़िल्म अब एक आंदोलन है फ़िल्म नहीं।तुच्छ #Toolkit गैंग वाले लाख कोशिश करते रहें।🙏 pic.twitter.com/ysKwCraejt

— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) November 29, 2022

Lapid misused the IFFI platform ! – Chief Minister Dr Pramod Samant

While speaking to the journalists in Ahmedabad (Gujarat) Dr Pramod Samant said ‘Filmmaker Nadav Lapid misused the IIF stage. The NFDC and Goa Manoranjan Sanstha will take grave cognizance of his utterances. I condemn Nadav Lapid’s disputable statement.

I condemn the statement. Israel’s Ambassador also said that he misused the platform. National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC) will take cognizance of it.He should not have used such words: Goa CM Pramod Sawant on IFFI Jury Head Nadav Lapid’s remarks for #KashmirFiles pic.twitter.com/dF2nbkEzYR

— ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2022

This is an insult to the Kashmiri Hindus who have undergone immense suffering ! – Savio Rodrigues

Saying that ‘The Kashmir Files’ is one that propagates a particular ideology is an insult to the Kashmiri Hindus who have undergone immense suffering. Criticising a Film in an artistic manner is permissible. But it is shameful to say that the suffering undergone by the Kashmiri Hindus is propaganda for a particular ideology. I have seen this film twice. The Film shows truthfully the suffering of the Kashmiri Hindus. It is necessary that Nadav Lapid should first enter into a dialogue with the Kashmiri Hindus. He seems to be unaware of the genocide that happened in Kashmir.

Israel Ambassador Naor Gilon’s open letter of apology to the Indians

The Guest is given the status of God in Indian Culture. Nadav Lapid‘s statement is an insult to the Indians who gave him the position of Head Jury in the Film Festival and also gave their trust, respect, and hospitality. Nadav Lapid should feel ashamed for what he said and give an explanation for this.

An open letter to #NadavLapid following his criticism of #KashmirFiles. It’s not in Hebrew because I wanted our Indian brothers and sisters to be able to understand. It is also relatively long so I’ll give you the bottom line first. YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED. Here’s why: pic.twitter.com/8YpSQGMXIR

— Naor Gilon (@NaorGilon) November 29, 2022

Actually, Nadav Lapid is a child of the community that suffered from the ‘Holocaust’. I condemn the statement made by him. He should introspect about his actions. I apologise to the festival organisers for the statement made by him.

Editorial viewpoints

• Several film reviewers active at the international level have been condemning the movie ‘The Kashmir Files’. This gang is active in covering up, from the International Community of the Hindu genocide done by the Muslims. Should we understand from this that Lapid is a member of this gang ?
• Lapid himself is a Jew. Numerous films have been made depicting the atrocities committed against Jews by the Dictator Hitler. Does he feel that the films depicting true facts are ‘vulgar’ ?