Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid, whose remarks against The Kashmir Files, at the closing ceremony of the 53rd International Film Festival of India, have raged a controversy, said in an interview that his opinions were shared by other jury members also and he had “emails and WhatsApp messages” to back his claim.

Nadav, who was India’s jury head at IFFI, had labelled The Kashmir Files a “propaganda, vulgar film,” and called it unfit to be selected at such a prestigious film festival.

In an interview with India Today TV, he claimed, “My statements and opinions were shared by all the jury members. All of us were sitting in the screening room and had the same feelings after the screening. Everyone was aware of what was going to be said. I have emails and WhatsApp to prove it. I understand that under pressure or fear or anxiety, people can suddenly change their statements.”

He, however, refrained from sharing the messages. “I understand the sensibility of the situation and the people who are afraid and feel they might pay a price. But you can contact the French and Spanish jury members.”

In an interview with Israeli outlet Ynet, Nadav had also said that people came up to him to thank him for what he said in the speech. “It was a hall with thousands of people, and everyone was ecstatic to see the local stars and cheer for the government. In countries that are increasingly losing the ability to speak your mind or speak the truth, someone needs to speak up. When I saw this movie, I couldn’t help but imagine its Israeli equivalent, which doesn’t exist but could definitely exist. So I felt I had to, because I come from a place that is itself not reformed, and is itself on the way to these places,” he said.

The Kashmir Files producer and actor Pallavi Joshi called Nadav a “genocide denier” for his comments. Vivek Agnihotri has announced The Kashmir Files: Unreported to bring out the “truth”. Cast members, Anupam Kher and Darshan Kumaar have also slammed the filmmaker for his comments.