Standing by his opinions on The Kashmir Files, Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid has said that he respects the fact that “some people might love this movie and think it is brilliant,” and they have “full right” to do so but, similarly, he has the right to believe the opposite.

Nadav, came in the range of fire of The Kashmir Files’ cast members, politicians and the Israeli ambassador, for calling the film a “vulgar, propaganda.”

The filmmaker, who was a jury head at the 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI), added that he did his duty “to say what I see.” He also reiterated that his comments were about the movie and not about the tragedy of Kashmiris.

In an interview with India Today TV, the filmmaker said, “As much as the people, who love the movie, have the right to claim that it is a brilliant, unbelievable film, I have the right to claim it’s the opposite.”

“What I did was my duty to the festival which invited me to express my opinion on the movies and to say the truth as I see it. Of course, it is subjective,” he added.

Calling The Kashmir Files a “cinematic manipulation,” Nadav said, “I will say it, even if I have to repeat myself a thousand times, I was never, ever, speaking about the Kashmir tragedy. I am totally not taking back what I said but I am really sorry if people were hurt. I was talking about the movie that was based on the tragedy.”

Nadav has been criticised by the film’s cast members: Pallavi Joshi, Anupam Kher and Darshan Kumaar for his comments. It’s director Vivek Agnihotri has also announced The Kashmir Files: Unreported to bring out the “truth” of Kashmiri Pandits.

The Kashmir Files, despite receiving poor reviews, was one of the highest grossers of the year.