Israeli Filmmaker Called 'The Kashmir Files' Propaganda Film During Festival

Israel's award-winning filmmaker Nadav Lapid has said about the controversial film 'The Kashmir Files' at the International Film Festival in Goa that he thinks it is a vulgar and propaganda film, and I think the other members of the jury feel the same.

According to a report in the newspaper, Nadav Lapid was invited to preside over the jury at the Indian Film Festival, where The Kashmir Files was screened. , out of which 14 films were up to cinematic standards, but we were all shocked to see the 15th film, The Kashmir Files, which we found to be crass-like propaganda and unsuitable for competition at a prestigious film festival.

Israeli screenwriter Nadav Lapid, who is jury president of International Film Festival Of India calls #TheKashmirFiles a propaganda and vulgar movie. pic.twitter.com/oTQcwJ8oiz

— HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) November 28, 2022

Director Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri was praised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who called the words a "discovery of the truth" in response to the widespread backlash they received from Hindu right-wing followers.

He told the assembly members meeting that people who always raise the flag of freedom of expression, this whole group has become worried in the last 5-6 days.

The Israeli ambassador to India had to personally denounce Nadav Lapid's criticisms of The Kashmir Files and issue an apology on his country's behalf.

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

Israel's ambassador to India, Nivar Gilan, criticized Nadav Lapid in an 'open letter' saying that it acted against Indian hospitality, urging Nadav Lapid to explain his criticism of the film.

The film's story is based on the 1990 genocide in Occupied Kashmir, but surprisingly, the film depicts the genocide of Pandits instead of Muslims and portrays Muslims as terrorists.

The report said that a group of Kashmiri Pandits, whose parents were killed in the Valley, demanded that Lapid be deported from the country immediately.

Vikas Raina, son of allegedly murdered Ashok Kumar, said The Kashmir Files exposed 30-year-old propaganda designed to cover up the migration of Kashmiri Pandits.

Jury member Sudipta sen reportedly distanced himself from the Israeli filmmaker's comments, taking them personally.

According to the report, the Israeli ambassador in India has escalated the protest to a strategic level. India and Israel have very strong relations between the state and the people.

He said that, as a human being, I felt ashamed and want to apologize to his host, for the bad manner in which we showed his friend's generosity.

My suggestion. As you vocally did in the past, feel free to use the liberty to sound your criticism of what you dislike in Israel but no need to reflect your frustration on other countries. I’m not sure that you have enough factual basis to make such comparisons. I know I don’t.

— Naor Gilon (@NaorGilon) November 29, 2022

"You'll see that you've made a strong message when you return to Israel; we're here as representatives of Israel, and we won't be going anywhere. In light of your bravery, I urge you to review the communications given to us and that are currently under my direction "According to Nivar Gilan. What kind of effect might that have on workers?

There has been a range of responses to Lapid's statement, with some complimenting his courage for making such a stance in the presence of high-profile Indian politicians like India's Information Minister Anurag Thakur.

To many, these comments were made by a film critic who did not try to undermine the human tragedies in violence-torn Kashmir.