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Yearender 2022: The Kashmir Files controversy, truth, propaganda and a hard place

After the film’s release, several videos showed people in theatres raising genocidal and Islamophobic slogans after watching the film. The Kashmir Files has been called out countless times for polarization by vilifying the Muslim community and adding to the growing prejudice against the minority community.

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3 months ago

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The Kashmir Files

By Utkarsh Tripathi

Vivek Agnihotri’s film The Kashmir Files has been a subject of many debates since it first hit the floors. The film, which was released on March 11, 2022, was said to be based on the true story of the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in the early 1990s from Jammu and Kashmir. The film stars Anupam Kher, Darshan Kumar, Pallavi Joshi and Mithun Chakraborty among others.

Despite being the centre of a lot of controversy, the film did very well in theatres as it raked approx Rs 250 crore at the box office in the month of its release.

The film was praised by various actors and directors for displaying the hard truth and voicing the forgotten story of the Kashmiri Pandits. Not only the industry or the people, but the film was supported and endorsed by the Narendra Modi Government. Many speculated the ruling party’s reason for supporting the film was to knock out the opposition parties, as well as activists and scholars.

As the movie was praised and celebrated by one group of society, the other group spoke against Vivek Agnihotri’s film. Many alleged inconsistencies in the film’s script and called it out for depicting a distorted point of view of the whole incident. Some said it was an agenda-driven film pushing for polarization in the country by vilifying and spreading prejudice against Kashmiri Muslims.

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Vivek Agnihotri on Row over Kashmir Files

Director Vivek Agnihotri was unabashed by the negative takes against his film and said controversy was unnecessary as The Kashmir Files was purely based on facts. The director added The Kashmir Files team had tried to portray what happens when militancy enters a community and is given ideological support from a part of the society. Agnihotri further added that it leads to disaster.

Agnihotri had claimed that he had researched four years before he started work on the project. To queries on the agendas being driven by him with the film, he agreed that he does have an agenda. He tweeted his agenda is to find India the respect it deserves and to get rid of Naxals and separatists in the country.

After the release of the film, The Kashmir Files team, including Vivek Agnihotri and his wife Pallavi Joshi, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 12 where the PM congratulated and praised them.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remark on Kashmir Files Row

PM Modi attacked the people who stood against The Kashmir Files and called it out that it was propaganda and factually incorrect on various occasions.

The Prime Minister said there is an ecosystem working to suppress the truth in the country. The PM said someone who tries to show the truth is being stopped and being suppressed. He further added that the people, who pose to be the custodians of freedom of expression, are themselves trying to discredit the film and scrutinize it.

He added his concern is not specifically for the film, but that the country needs to see the truth in the right manner. Prime Minister Modi said if someone wants they can make a film on the same issue but with a different perspective, if they want.

Not only the PM, his party echoed the praise for the film as various BJP-ruled states made the film tax-free, including Bihar (now in the Opposition camp thanks to Nitish Kumar switching sides), Gujarat, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Haryana and others. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma announced half-day leave for government employees to watch the film. Whereas in Karnataka’s Vijayapura, MLA Patil Yatnal announced free shows of the film for people.

Opposition Parties on Kashmir files

The support for The Kashmir Files by the BJP became a national issue, the opposition including the Aam Aadmi Party, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, the Congress and many others chimed in to add their take.

Aam Aadmi Party on the film

Back in March, Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal said a great tragedy happened in Kashmir and highlighted that 32 years have gone by and even after 32 years, the government tells Kashmiri Pandits that they made a film for them. He attacked the Centre and said the Kashmiri Pandits don’t want a film, they want rehabilitation. The Delhi Chief Minister also accused the BJP of doing politics over The Kashmir Files.

Shiv Sena’s take on the film

Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena wrote against The Kashmir Files in Shiv Sena’s mouthpiece Saamana. The editorial said the story is based on the fleeing of Hindu Pandits in Kashmir, their killings, atrocities inflicted on them and their anger disturbs one’s mind.

The editorial charged the film as an attempt to divide Hindu-Muslims again. Raut claimed the BJP was supporting the film to win the upcoming Assembly elections due then in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat.

Raut said The Kashmir Files should be created, but the agenda of such films has lately been to spread hatred and confusion about the political opposition, rather than showing the truth.

Congress’s take on the film

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said the film was inciting hate by distorting history to provoke anger. Ramesh tweeted some films inspire change, whereas, The Kashmir Files incited only hate. He highlighted the truth can lead to justice, rehabilitation, reconciliation and peace.

The Congress general secretary said propaganda twists facts, distorts history to whip up anger and promote violence and said statesmen heal wounds, whereas pracharaks exploit fear and prejudice to divide and rule.

IFFI Kashmir Files Row

In late November, The Kashmir Files was yet again in the news. International Film Festival of India (IFFI) jury head and Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid called the film propaganda and a vulgar film. He said it was inappropriate to place it in the artistic competitive section in IFFI. Lapid’s statements reignited the row which revolved around the film.

The Israeli filmmaker expounded on his comments to the media and said bad films are not a crime, however, The Kashmir Files is a very crude, manipulative and violent propaganda film.

As a result of Lapid’s remarks on the film, many including the team of The Kashmir Files attacked him. Subsequently, the Israeli filmmaker himself came forward and issued an apology for his remarks.

Reaction of the people who watched the film

After the film’s release, several videos showed people in theatres raising genocidal and Islamophobic slogans after watching the film. The Kashmir Files has been called out countless times for polarization by vilifying the Muslim community and adding to the growing prejudice against the minority community.

While such is the effect on one part of the audience, Kashmiri Pandits themselves are up in arms against the Government’s rehabilitation policy. Terrorists killed four Kashmiri Pandits on their return to the Kashmir Valley. The protesters have sought more protection for people who return to the Valley from terror elements.

If one was to look at The Kashmir Files and its version of the truth, India has itself chosen not to send the film as its 2022 Oscars’ entry. That decision nails the claims of its makers.

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Raghav Chadha blushes as reporter asks him about Parineeti Chopra, watch AAP leader’s REACTION here

AAP leader Raghav Chadha and actor Parineeti Chopra are both alums of the London School of Economics and have many mutual friends.

Published

3 hours ago

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March 24, 2023

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Aam Aadmi Party leader Raghav Chadha was spotted with Bollywood Actor Parineeti Chopra last night in Mumbai. As per the reports, the AAP leader was spotted going into a posh restaurant with the Bollywood actor. After videos of the two hanging out together surfaced, rumors surfaced about the two dating.

After videos of the two surfaced, Chadha was approached by a reporter recently and was asked about Parineeti Chopra. However, after being stunned by the question asked by the reporter, the AAP leader can be seen blushing as he comes back with a quippy response to the question.

The AAP leader, while blushing, replied to the reporter and said that they can ask him questions about politics which he will answer but urged them not to ask questions regarding Parineeti.

Watch video here:

AAP leader Raghav Chadha and actor Parineeti Chopra are both alums of the London School of Economics and have many mutual friends.

Most recently, the two were spotted together on separate occasions on two consecutive days. The AAP leader also follows two people from the Bollywood fraternity on his Twitter, amongst whom, is Parineeti Chopra.

The Bollywood actor was previously rumoured to be dating director Maneesh Sharma. On the career front, Parineeti was last seen in Uunchai.

Twitter reactions

After the video of the exchange between the reporter and the AAP leader went viral, many users rushed in to add their take on the video. One user wrote that the smile on Raghav Chadha’s face says a lot about what he is hiding, implying and insinuating that something is going on between the AAP leader and the Bollywood actor.

One user wrote and said that this looks to be a situation of love, implying that the two are in love and it is obvious from the smile on the AAP leader’s face.

One user also wrote and highlighted how the AAP leader is blushing, implying that Chadha himself couldn’t hide his feelings as he cracked a smile during the exchange with the reporter.

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Mardaani director Pradeep Sarkar dies at 68; Ajay Devgn, Manoj Bajpayee and other celebs pay tribute

As per the reports, Pradeep Sarkar’s funeral will take place today at 4 pm at Santacruz Hindu Crematorium.

Published

5 hours ago

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March 24, 2023

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Mardaani director Pradeep Sarkar dies at 68; Ajay Devgn, Manoj Bajpayee and other celebs pay tribute

Renowned director Pradeep Sarkar bid adieu to the world at the age of 68 in the wee hours of Friday. Sarkar, who is known for directing hit films like Parineeta, Helicopter Eela, Mardaani, and Laga Chunari Mein Daag, breathed his last at around 3:30 am.

According to the reports, the filmmaker was on dialysis for a long time and his potassium levels had dropped drastically. So, he was immediately rushed to the hospital at around 3 am but couldn’t survive.

Several celebrities including Ajay Devgn, Hansal Mehta, and Manoj Bajpayee paid tribute to the filmmaker.

Ajay Devgn expressed his condolences and paid tribute to the National Film Award winner. He tweeted, The news of Pradeep Sarkar’s demise, ‘Dada’ to some of us is still hard to digest. My deepest condolences. My prayers are with the departed and his family. RIP Dada!

Actor Neetu Chandra, who was very close to Pradeep Sarkar and his sister Madhuri, also took to Twitter to express grief over his demise, She tweeted, Very sad to know about our dearest director Pradeep Sarkar dada. She said she started her career with him. He had an aesthetic talent to make his films look larger than life. From Parineeta, Laga Chunari Mein Daag to a number of movies. Dada, you will be missed. Rest In Peace (sic), she added.

Manoj Bajpayee was shocked to hear about the unfortunate demise of Pradeep Sarkar. He prayed for the departed soul to rest in peace.

Director Hansal Mehta also paid tribute to Pradeep Sarkar.

As per the reports, Pradeep Sarkar’s funeral will take place today at 4 pm at Santacruz Hindu Crematorium.

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Atif Aslam and wife Sara Bharwana become parents to a baby girl, singer shares the first glimpse

The couple welcomed their third child in the holy month of Ramzan

Published

20 hours ago

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March 23, 2023

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Atif Aslam with his wife, newborn daughter Halima

Pakistani playback singer Atif Aslam surprised his fans as he announced the birth of his baby girl on Instagram on Thursday.

He shared a glimpse of his daughter with a picture and a heartfelt note, announcing that his wait is finally over as the new queen of his heart has arrived. He added that both the baby and his wife Sarah are fine and requested the fans to remember them in their prayers. He also wished his fans Ramadan Mubarak from his daughter, named Halima Atif Aslam.

Halima looks adorable wearing a pink sweater and wrapped in a pink blanket. The baby was born on the first day of Ramzan, on March 23.

Have a look at the post:

After the singer shared this news, many of his friends and fans took to the comment section to congratulate the couple and shower their love on the baby, filling it with heart emoticons.

Atif and Sara got married in an intimate wedding in Lahore on March 29, 2013. The couple had welcomed their second child in 2019. They have two sons Abdul Ahad and Aryaan Aslam.

Atif Aslam debuted in the music industry with his album Jal Pari, which remains popular even today. Known for his passionate and romantic voice, Atif has a huge fan base and is known for the charm he adds to the songs.

He is a popular singer, songwriter and composer and has sung many bollywood songs as well. His most loved compositions include Tere Sang Yaara, Dil Diyan Gallan, Pehli Nazar Mein, Main Rang Sharbaton Ka and Jeena Jeena among others.

Atif is also one of the most featured singers in Coke Studio Pakistan, performing across seasons.

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