Kashmir Files actor Pallavi Joshi: Overwhelmed by how people defended the rude comments of a genocide denier

Joining Vivek Agnihotri, Anupam Kher and Darshan Kumaar, The Kashmir Files producer and actor Pallavi Joshi has slammed IFFI jury head Nadav Lapid for his comments against the film. Calling the Israeli filmmaker a “genocide denier”, Pallavi said that it is “unfortunate” that he used a creative platform for his “political agenda.”

Nadav Lapid, at the 53rd IFFI’s closing ceremony on Monday night, called the film a “vulgar propaganda” and “inappropriate” for selection in the artistic competitive section of IFFI.

In a detailed statement, which Pallavi posted on social media, she said, “ For decades the international community remained silent on the sufferings of the Kashmiri Pandit Community. After 3 decades, the Indian film industry finally realised that it needs to tell India's story truthfully and objectively.”

Hitting out at people who “do not like to see the stark truth on screen,” the actor added, “Vivek and I were always aware that there are elements that would not like to see the stark truth on the screen, but it is very unfortunate that a creative platform was used for a political agenda to preserve an old, false and jaded narrative about Kashmir. We are overwhelmed by the way people of India rose to defend The Kashmir Files against the rude and vulgar statements of a genocide denier.”

Since Nadav’s statement, the film has received support from various actors and filmmakers and even Israeli diplomats in India, including the ambassador and the consul general. “I would like to assure our audience and supporters that The Kashmir Files remains a people's film. I also want to thank the Israeli Ambassador H.E Naor Gilon and the Consul General Shri Kobbi Shoshani for their support,” she added.

While the film’s director Vivek Agnihotri wrote a cryptic post on Twitter on Tuesday morning which read, “Truth is the most dangerous thing. It can make people lie,” actor Anupam Kher said, “ …If the holocaust is right, the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits is right too. Seems pre-planned as immediately after that the toolkit gang became active. May God give him wisdom…”

Darshan Kumaar, who plays the film’s protagonist had 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 which has depicted the actual plight of 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.”

The Kashmir Files depicts the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley in the early 1990s. The film was one of the highest grossers of 2022 despite negative reviews.