IFFI jury head calls Kashmir Files "vulgar" and "propaganda" film
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Controversial film Kashmir Files was screened in the Panorama section of the 53rd International Film Festival in Goa. The jury of IFFI has criticised the film by calling it "propaganda" and a "vulgar movie." Head of the jury Nadav Lapid, an Israeli filmmaker, said every member of the jury was "disturbed and shocked" that the film was screened at the festival.
The plot revolves around the killings and exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in 1990 in Kashmir Valley. When the movie was first released in India, many criticised the content by calling it a one-sided portrayal of the events. Singapore banned the movie saying it has the potential to cause enmity between different communities. The Singaporean authorities refused the classification of the film for its "provocative and one-sided portrayal of Muslims and the depictions of Hindus being persecuted in the ongoing conflict in Kashmir."
The film was praised by the BJP and declared tax-free in several BJP-ruled states. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah have also praised the movie.
The IFFI jury head said the film was inappropriate for a prestigious film festival. "It seemed to us like a propagandist movie inappropriate for an artistic, competitive section of such a prestigious film festival. I feel totally comfortable to share openly these feelings here with you on stage. Since the spirit of having a festival is to accept also a critical discussion which is essential for art and for life."
He was addressing the audience on stage during the closing ceremony. Several Indian ministers and politicians were present at the event.
In August, Canadian filmmaker Dylan Mohan Gray said that The Kashmir Files is a "hate-mongering, revisionist garbage of no artistic merit" and it will be an embarrassment if selected as the official entry to the Oscars. He added that Anurag Kashyap was just trying to preserve what is left of India's good name when he expressed hopes that the film would not be selected for the Oscars.