The Kashmir Files: Celebrities and politicians warn against propaganda-driven films

Kashmir Files

Image Courtesy:kashmirdigits.com

Since the release of The Kashmir Files on March 11, 2022, audiences and many celebrities alike have showered praise for the movie. Recently even actor Amir Khan lauded the movie for its effort during an event despite not having watched it!

Yet, many criticisms have also surfaced over the past week regarding the authenticity and accuracy of the events depicted in the movie. Critics like Anupama Chopra suffered trolls for allowing a harsh review of the movie on Film Companion. As such, it is not surprising that people who were unimpressed by the movie hesitate to voice their opinions. Yet, recently, actor Nana Patekar voiced his open dislike for the movie.

Speaking to Aaj Tak, veteran actor Nana Patekar said that The Kashmir Files sparks undue controversy. Stating that this “is not right”, he stressed a message of communal harmony, pointing out that Hindus and Muslims live peacefully and harmoniously in India. He argued that people of both religions live here and the making and showing of such movies spoils the environment.

Patekar said, “When all the people are living in peace, then it is not right to create such ruckus. Those who are doing this should be asked to answer. After watching the film, the society will be divided into two, it is not right to create such rift in the society.”

Since Patekar spoke during an interview, he did not have to face immediate flak. However, others were not so lucky. Actor Adil Hussain too expressed his views about the movie on Twitter. In his post, he said, “Truth must be spoken! No doubt about it. But must be spoken Tenderly. Else purpose of speaking the truth loses its beauty. And the impact is reactive.Not responsive. We, for sure, don’t want to fuel a reactive society but nourish a responve-sible one. Art Should not be reactive.”

Despite this softer approach to reason, Hussain was still targeted:

Kashmir Files

In fact, even the legend of Bollywood Amitabh Bachchan was not exempted from this online bullying.

T 4222 – .. we know now , what we never knew then ..
— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) March 16, 2022

Bachchan on March 16, simply tweeted, “We know now, what we never knew then.” While to some people, this was confirmation enough of favouring the movie, the right-wing trolls remained dissatisfied because the tweet did not mention the movie. Many people drew parallels between Bachchan’s current tweet and compared it with a dialogue he said in the movie ‘Bemisal’. Some comments even went as far as to call him a coward.

Another actor and model Gauahar Khan warned people against the propaganda. Although she didn’t mention the movie like Bachchan, her comment was still considered a criticism of The Kashmir Files.

If u don’t see the propaganda , ur soul is blind , deaf and dumb !
— Gauahar Khan / MAYANKA (@GAUAHAR_KHAN) March 15, 2022

Similarly, actress Swara Bhasker suffered heavy trolling on social media when she took an indirect dig at Director Vivek Agnihotri days after the movie’s release.

If you want someone to congratulate you for the ‘success’ of your efforts.. maybe don’t spend the last five years shitting on their heads.. ??‍♀️ #justsaying
— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) March 13, 2022

Aside from celebrities, politicians too voiced their opinions. Particularly, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on March 18, said the movie does nothing for the benefit of the community it is based on, the Kashmiri Pandits.

According to the Indian Express, Abdullah said that a conducive environment is essential for the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley. However, he felt the film-makers “did not want them [Kashmiri Pandits] to return to Kashmir.” He suggested that the makers instead wanted the community to never return to their homeland. Speaking at the National Conference’s party workers’ meet in Kulgam, Abdullah asked if the movie was meant to be a documentary or a commercial film. He stressed that in case of the former, he pointed out how the film wrongly shows Farooq Abdullah as the Chief Minister. In reality, Kashmir was under “Governor Raj” with Jagmohan as the Governor, he said. Further, the party in power at the Centre during the time of the exodus was also the BJP. Yet this fact was not stressed in the film.

Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party Mehbooba Mufti further condemned the manner in which the BJP had promoted this movie, especially Union Ministers. She accused the ruling regime of weaponising Kashmiri Pandits’ pain and tearing apart old wounds.

The manner in which GOI is aggressively promoting Kashmir Files & is weaponising pain of Kashmiri Pandits makes their ill intention obvious. Instead of healing old wounds & creating a conducive atmosphere between the two communities, they are deliberately tearing them apart.
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) March 16, 2022

Another politician from the Opposition decrying the movie was Karnataka Rajya Sabha MP and Congress member Jairam Ramesh. He described the movie as one inciting hate and propaganda.

Some films inspire change. Kashmir Files incites hate. Truth can lead to justice, rehabilitation, reconciliation & peace. Propaganda twists facts, distorts history to whip up anger & promote violence. Statesmen heal wounds. Pracharaks exploit fear and prejudice to divide & rule.
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) March 19, 2022

Around March 16, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav also reacted to The Kashmir Files release by retweeting a documentary by BBC Hindi wherein Kashmiri Pandits spoke to the news about how the movie was a means to gain favour for the 2024 elections and nothing more.

Kashmir Files

As many as 10 days after the release of the movie, The Kashmir Files continues to be widely discussed. The Exodus, on which the movie is based, remains another matter.