The Kashmir Files, which portrayed the delicate situation in Kashmir, became well-known for showing the violent departure of Kashmiri Pandits from the state. The movie did well at the box office, and many people praised the director for showing the state’s happenings. However, in recent months, the movie has received a lot of criticism at film festivals, including criticism from Indian director Saeed Mirza, who is known for portraying realism in his movies.
Saeed Mirza is most known for his eccentric 80s flicks, like Mohan Joshi Hazir Ho, Albert Pinto Gussa Kyun Aata Hai, and Salim Langde Pe Mat Jao. He also served as the director of the hugely successful 1990s television programme Nukkad.
Saeed recently spoke to Indian Express.com, “For me, The Kashmir Files is garbage. Is the Kashmiri Pandit issue garbage? No, it’s not. It’s real. Is it just Kashmiri Hindus? No. Muslims, too, are caught in an incredibly vulgar trap of the machinations of intelligence agencies, nations with so-called national interests, and paid guys from across the border, who continues to create havoc. The point is not to take sides. Be human and try to understand.”
Vivek Agnihotri’s The Kashmir Files, which also features Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, Darshan Kumaar, and Mithun Chakraborty, was released in India in March 2022. The film was also attacked by Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid during IFFI 2022 in Goa, wherein he had labelled the film of being ‘vulgar’ and a ‘propaganda’ film. The Israeli Counsel General Kobbi Shoshani visited India and explained that Lapid’s opinion was his alone and did not represent the opinion of the entire country, notwithstanding the reactions of many Indian celebrities to this declaration.