Controversy erupts over Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid’s comments on ‘The Kashmir Files’ movie

A person walks previous a poster of the film “The Kashmir Information” exterior a cinema in Mumbai, India, March 16, 2022.
| Photograph Credit score: Reuters

Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid, the jury head of the 53rd Worldwide Movie Pageant of India (IFFI), on Monday described Hindi movie ‘The Kashmir Information’ as “propaganda” and “vulgar”.

In his speech on the closing ceremony of IFFI 2022, Mr. Lapid mentioned he was “disturbed and shocked” to see the movie being screened on the movie pageant.

“All of us had been disturbed and shocked by the film ‘The Kashmir Information’. It felt to us like a propaganda and vulgar film that was inappropriate for an inventive and aggressive part of such a prestigious movie pageant.

“I really feel snug to overtly share this sense with you because the spirit of the pageant can really settle for crucial dialogue which is important for artwork and life”, Mr. Lapid mentioned.

‘The Kashmir Information’, which was launched in theatres on March 11, was a part of the Indian Panorama Part at IFFI and was screened on November 22.

Written and directed by Vivek Agnihotri and produced by Zee Studios, the movie depicts the exodus of Kashmiri Hindus from Kashmir following the killings of individuals from the neighborhood by Pakistan-backed terrorists.

It stars Anupam Kher, Darshan Kumaar, Mithun Chakraborty and Pallavi Joshi amongst others.

‘Kashmir Information’ isn’t on vulgarity however on actuality: Darshan Kumaar

Mr. Lapid’s remarks didn’t go down effectively with many. Actor Darshan Kumaar, who performed one of many key roles in ‘The Kashmir Information’, too, reacted to Mr. Lapid’s feedback. Talking to ANI, Mr. Darshan mentioned, “Everybody has their very own particular person opinions on something they see and understand… However one cannot deny the truth that The Kashmir information are a movie which has depicted the precise plight of the Kashmiri Pandit neighborhood… who’re nonetheless preventing for justice towards the brutal acts of terrorism… so this movie isn’t on vulgarity however in actuality.”

Anupam Kher reacts to the controversy

Mr. Kher mentioned it’s “shameful” for Mr. Lapid to time period the movie “propaganda, vulgar” on the pageant’s closing ceremony.

“If the holocaust was proper then the exodus of Kashmiri pandits can also be proper. This appears pre-planned as a result of instantly after it the tool-kit gang turned lively. It’s shameful for him to make a press release like this although he comes from a neighborhood of Jews who suffered from the holocaust,” Mr. Kher advised ANI. ” So, by making a press release like this, he has additionally pained these individuals who suffered this tragedy. I might simply say could God give him knowledge in order that he doesn’t use the tragedy of hundreds of individuals to satisfy his purpose on stage,” he added.

(With inputs from businesses)