Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid called “Kashmir Files” obscene
The controversy surrounding Nadav Lapid’s criticism of Vivek Agnihotri’s “The Kashmir Files,” a film about the Kashmiri Pandits, won’t go away. A Supreme Court attorney in Goa has filed a police report, and top Israeli diplomats, Israeli actors, and Indian politicians have all attacked the director and demanded an apology. Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi defended Lapid but Shiv Sena ambassador Naor Gilon and Bollywood actor Anupam Kher criticised him.
In Goa, the location of the International Film Festival of India, a complaint has been made alleging abuse of the Hindu religion. A petition filed by Vineet Jindal claims that Lapid’s statement “clearly shows his intent of inciting enmity between groups” and that a different petition filed by Indian filmmaker Sudipto Sen (also a member of the jury) demonstrates that the Israeli’s statement was “completely in a personal capacity.” Jindal complained, “my religious sentiments are deeply hurt.”
Kobbi Shoshani, the general consul of Israel in northwest India, and Israel’s ambassador Gilon have both harshly criticised Lapid and his comments. Gilon wrote Lapid an open letter on Twitter, telling him, “You should be ashamed,” and that it was “insensitive and presumptuous” of him to talk on a topic with significant social, cultural, political, economic, and religious ramifications in India. Lapid’s comments, according to Shoshani, were “his own private opinion.”
The International Film Festival of India jury, whose chairman was Lapid, has also denied making the statement, emphasising that they “never mentioned about likes or dislikes.” “We (as jurors) don’t indulge in any kind of political comments on any film, and if it is done, it is completely in a personal capacity,” said Indian director Sudipto Sen, who was also a member of the jury.
Vivek Agnihotri, the director of “The Kashmir Files,” and Bollywood actor Anupam Kher have also entered the argument. The main character, Kher, claimed that Lapid had harmed “people who have been victims of this tragedy,” and Agnihotri merely tweeted incoherently, “The truth can make people lie.”
Swara Bhasker, an outspoken opponent of the Narendra Modi administration, tweeted in favour of Lapid as well. She shared a news article about the controversy and stated, “Apparently it’s pretty clear to the world (sic).”
Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid called “Kashmir Files” obscene
The Kashmir Files, written and directed by Agnihotri, is based on the departure of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley during the 1990s, a time of rife terrorism. Top BJP figures, including union home minister Amit Shah, who called the film “a bold representation of the truth,” have praised and promoted it. The film was given tax-free status by the chief ministers of several states controlled by the party.
