Darshan Kumaar: Kashmir Files not on vulgarity but on reality

Darshan Kumaar, who played the protagonist in The Kashmir Files, has reacted to IFFI 2022 jury head Nadav Lapid’s comments against the film. At the closing ceremony of the film festival on Monday night, the Israeli filmmaker called the film a “vulgar propaganda” and “inappropriate” for selection in the artistic competitive section of IFFI.

The Kashmir Files director Vivek Agnihotri and actor Anupam Kher have criticised Nadav Lapid for his remarks. Now, Darshan has weighed in on the controversy.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Darshan said, “Everyone has their own individual opinions on anything they see and perceive. But one can't deny the fact that The Kashmir files is a film that has depicted the actual plight of the Kashmiri pandit community... who are still fighting for justice against the brutal acts of terrorism. So, this film is not on vulgarity but on reality.”

Sudipto Sen, a member of the IFFI jury, also posted a letter from the jury board distancing itself from the Israeli director’s statements. The letter argues the jury didn't share the opinions expressed onstage by the jury head.

"Whatever has been said by IFFI 2022 Jury Chairman Mr. Nadav Lapid about the film The Kashmir Files, from the stage of the closing ceremony of 53rd IFFI was completely his personal opinion. In the official presentation of the Jury Board to the Festival Director and in the official Press Conference, where we 4 juries (the fifth jury had to leave for her personal emergency) were present and interacted with the press, we never mentioned anything about our likes or dislikes. Both were our official collective opinion," the letter reads.

The Kashmir Files depicts the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley in the early 1990s. The film was a commercial success despite negative reviews