NEW DELHI: An Israeli screenwriter and film director Nadav Lapid has triggered a storm throughout India after calling its propaganda movie “The Kashmir Files” as “vulgar.”
Also read: Anti-Muslim slogans raised at screening of ‘Kashmir Files’ film
Nadav, naming The Kashmir Files at the closing ceremony of the festival in Goa on Monday had said, “all of us were disturbed and shocked by the 15th film, The Kashmir Files. That felt like a propaganda, vulgar movie, inappropriate for an artistic competitive section of such a prestigious film festival. I feel totally comfortable to openly share these feelings here with you on this stage. In the spirit of this festival, can surely also accept a critical discussion, which is essential for art and life.”
Also read: The Kashmir Files director supports ‘Boycott Bollywood’ trend
Indian actress Swara Bhasker voiced support for Nadav Lapid’s remarks, saying “apparently it’s pretty clear to the world.”
Israel’s envoy to India immediately jumped into the furious environment and denounced Nadav Lapid for calling controversial Bollywood film on India-administered Kashmir a “propaganda” and “vulgar movie” at a film festival.
PM Modi, his govt, BJP, the RW ecosystem feverishly promoted ‘The Kashmir Files’
A movie rejected by International Film Festival Of India. Jury Head Nadav Lapid called it ‘propaganda, vulgar movie – inappropriate for the film festival’.
Hate gets called out, eventually pic.twitter.com/VJ5dFRKnaT
— Supriya Shrinate (@SupriyaShrinate) November 28, 2022
Naor Gilon, Israel’s ambassador to India, said on Tuesday he was “extremely hurt” by comments made by filmmaker Nadav Lapid in which he said the movie “The Kashmir Files” was unworthy of being screened at the highly acclaimed International Film Festival of India.
Also read: Singapore bans ‘The Kashmir Files’ for ‘provocative and one-sided’ portrayal of Muslims
Gilon tweeted at Lapid, saying: “YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED.” Gilon accused Lapid of “damaging the growing relationship between India and Israel.”
It is pertinent to mention here that many film critics and Kashmiri Muslims have called the film hateful propaganda, while its fans and proponents, including India’s many federal government ministers, see it as essential viewing of the plight of Kashmiri Hindus, locally called Pandits.
