Srinagar: Nadav Lapid, the jury head at the 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) on Monday termed Vivek Agnihotri directed ‘The Kashmir Files’ as a vulgar, propaganda movie and expressed dismay over allowing the film into the competition section.
Lapid made these remarks in his speech on the closing day of the nine-day event that was attended among others by top ministers, including Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur.
“I would like to thank the head of the festival and the director of the programming for the cinematic richness of the programme, for its diversity, for its complexity. It was intense. We saw seven films in the debutant competition, and 15 films in the international competition — the front window of the festival. 14 out of them had cinematic qualities, defaults and evoked vivid discussions,” the jury head 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,” he added.
Lapid further said that his jury members were asked for selecting the best film of the 15 in the international competitive section for various categories including the Golden and Silver peacocks.
“I feel totally comfortable to share this feelings with you on stage since the feeling we felt at this festival, can truly accept also a critical discussion, which is essential for art and for life,” he added.
The controversial film, starring Anupam Kher and other veteran actors, had triggered a debate on the Kashmiri Pandit’s issues, and grossed over Rs 340 crore at the box office.
