The Kashmir Files director, Vivek Agnihotri, has announced a new project related to the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, tentatively called The Kashmir Files Unreported. Vivek shared an Instagram video recently to refute the criticism his film received, and also announced this new series or film, in an interview.
Video credit: Instagram.com/vivekagnihotri
This comes fresh in the heels of a row that took place after the jury head of International Film Festival of India (IFFI) slammed The Kashmir Files publicly, leading to a lot of debate. Here’s what was said, what Vivek’s rebuttal was, and what his upcoming project is all about.
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The criticism ‘The Kashmir Files’ received
Credit: Zee Studios, Abhishek Agarwal Arts
This is what the IFFI jury head, award-winning Israeli filmmaker, Nadav Lapid, said about The Kashmir Files: “All of us were disturbed and shocked by the movie, The Kashmir Files. It felt to us like a propaganda and vulgar movie that was inappropriate for an artistic and competitive section of such a prestigious film festival. I feel comfortable to openly share this feeling with you since the spirit of the festival can truly accept critical discussion which is essential for art and life.”
Prior to this, the film was also in hot water with the certification boards of countries like the U.S. and Singapore. In fact, the film faced a ban in Singapore.
How Vivek Agnihotri responded to criticism of ‘The Kashmir Files’
Credit: Zee Studios, Abhishek Agarwal Arts
Vivek Agnihotri posted an Instagram video saying that his film contained an accurate depiction of events: “I challenge all these urban naxals and the legendary filmmaker who came from Israel, that if they can prove any single shot, event or dialogue is not completely true then I will quit filmmaking. Who are these people who stand up against India every time?”
Following that, he went on national television and announce another project related to the same theme.
What ‘The Kashmir Files Unreported’ is all about
Credit: Zee Studios, Abhishek Agarwal Arts
In an interview with AajTak, Vivek said, “I am determined now and I am making an announcement… We have many stories, anecdotes, truths from which we could have made 10 films instead of one. But we decided to make only one film. But now, I have decided that I will bring out the whole truth and its title will be The Kashmir Files Unreported.Aur yeh main isi saal ke andar-andar leke aunga, yeh maine aaj dridh nishchay kar liya hai.“
He added, “I will let everyone know very soon whether Unreported will be in the form of a web series or documentary. I’ll divulge the entire truth. Now this subject is beyond art and is more about the reputation of this country. It is my moral responsibility that whatever information, proof I have with me and what all people have said, I bring them out and present it in front of people so they know the entire truth.”
It remains to be seen what the world has to say about Vivek’s upcoming project, and whether that will be slammed or welcomed.
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