Mumbai: Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid, stirred a controversy with his remarks over the movie The Kashmir Files. He was who was a part of the jury at the 2022 International Film Festival of India. Nadav called The Kashmir Files a ‘vulgar and propaganda’ film. During the closing ceremony of the film festival in Goa, he made these controversial remarks. After his remarks, many came in support of the movie showing the exodus of Kashmiri pandits and criticized him for his words. A practicing lawyer of the Supreme Court filed a complaint with Goa Police against Nadav Lapid for abusing the Hindu community’s sacrifice.
The Kashmir Files was screened at the film festival alongside 14 other films. Sudipto Sen, a member of the jury, dissociated himself from Nadav’s remark.
“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 openly sharing these feelings here with you at this stage. In the spirit of this festival, we can surely also accept a critical discussion, which is essential for art and life,” he said during the closing ceremony.
Israel’s Consul General Kobbi Shoshani described Nadav’s remarks as a ‘big mistake’ and they do not accept it. He said, “Concerning Nadav, we don’t accept it. I personally don’t accept it. Ambassador, who was there with me in Goa last night, doesn’t accept it. It’s his own private opinion. He can say that it’s the opinion of the Jury which is alright. But it’s nothing to do with Israel.”
“I told him after the speech that he made a big mistake, that it wasn’t appropriate. Ambassador and I rolled out comments and tweets in a way that makes very clear what we think about using words like ‘propaganda’, we don’t accept it. He is not representing the State of Israel,” he added.
“From my point of view, I can’t force anyone to apologize. If you ask personally, yes I think he has to apologize because he entered a political dispute in India and it’s not something which he has to do,” he added.
Taking a dig at him film’s director Vivek Agnihotri tweeted, “GM. Truth is the most dangerous thing. It can make people lie. #CreativeConsciousness.”
GM.
Truth is the most dangerous thing. It can make people lie. #CreativeConsciousness
— Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) November 29, 2022
He further tweeted a video with the caption, “Terror supporters and Genocide deniers can never silence me. Jai Hind. #TheKashmirFiles #ATrueStory”
Terror supporters and Genocide deniers can never silence me.
Jai Hind. #TheKashmirFiles #ATrueStory pic.twitter.com/jMYyyenflc— Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) November 29, 2022
In the video, he said that if he is proven wrong, he will stop making movies. IFFI, a jury member called ‘The Kashmir Files’ a propaganda and a vulgar film. This is not a new thing for him, because these types of comments are being made by many terrorist organizations, urban Naxals, and the people who want to divide India. But what surprised him the most is, that this narrative of dividing Kashmir from India by some terrorists was supported on stage at an event organized by the Government of India.
Veteran actor Anupam Kher who played a major role in the movie stated on November 29, that it is “shameful” of the International Film Festival of India’s jury chair Nadav Lapid to refer to the movie as “propaganda and filthy” at the festival’s closing ceremony.
“I feel that in every country those who exercise freedom of speech, do have some set of people who think they will use a platform like this to address their private opinion. Well, if you don’t like the movie you are most welcome to say it. But if you are a jury member you should be responsible enough to not use a platform like this to put forward such remarks. I think it’s a ‘vulgar’ remark by that person. And who himself is vulgar and is an opportunist who used this platform to put forth his ‘propaganda’ or whatever he believes in,” Kher said
Kher said that his remarks on the IFFI jury head will not affect the relation between India and Israel. He said, “Truth doesn’t get impacted by such things. One person or 10 people don’t impact the whole country. Pain brings people together. I got messages from Israel and they said wonderful things.”
Shiv Sena Leader Sanjay Raut affirmed the jury head’s remarks on The Kashmir Files Movie. He said that there was ‘propaganda’ surrounding the movie. Lipid’s remarks are largely criticized.
“It’s true about Kashmir Files. There was propaganda by one party against another,” Raut said. He alleged that the maximum number of killings took place after the movie was released. He further desired to learn about why Kashmir Files 2.0 is not yet made.
Referring to murders in the Kashmir Valley – largely targeting civilians and migrants, Raut said, “A party and government was busy with publicity… but the maximum number of killings in Kashmir occurred after this film. Kashmir Pandits, security personnel were killed.”
Also Read: “Make Kashmir Files 2.0 Too”: Sanjay Raut Over IFFI Jury Head’s Remarks
Raut, in his comments, added: “Where were these Kashmir Files people then? The children of Kashmiri Pandits were also agitating, where were they then? Nobody came forward then, nor were there plans for a Kashmir Files 2.0 – make that too.”
Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis said that nobody has the rights to make such remarks. He said, “Truth was shown in the film ‘The Kashmir Files’, it was shown after research was done. India’s censor board approved it. Nobody has the right to make any such remarks about the movie.”
A practicing lawyer of the Supreme Court filed a complaint with Goa Police against Nadav Lapid for abusing the Hindu community sacrifice made in Kashmir by calling the movie ‘The Kashmir Files’ as ‘vulgar’ and ‘propaganda’.
According to an ANI report, Advocate Vineet Jindal has filed a complaint against Nadav Lapid and sought registration under sections 121,153,153A and B, 295, 298, and 505 of the Indian Penal Code for his alleged comment on the movie ‘The Kashmir Files’ based on the true story of Hindu genocide in Kashmir, the complaint stated.
Speaking with the media Nadav said that making a political statement like that was not easy. He said, “I knew that this was an event that is terribly connected to the country, and everyone stands there and praises the government. It is not an easy position, because you are a guest, I am the president of the jury here, and you are treated very nicely. And then you come and attack the festival. There was apprehension, and there was discomfort. I didn’t know what the dimensions would be, so I did it with some apprehension. Yes, I spent the day apprehensive. Let’s put it this way: I’m happy to be on my way to the airport now.”
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