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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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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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Netflix India, Parineeti Chopra share Amar Singh Chamkila trailer on social media

Amar Singh Chamkila will release on April 12 on Netflix India.

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The trailer of Diljit Dosanjh and Parineeti Chopra starrer Amar Singh Chamkila was unveiled on Thursday in Mumbai. The film has been written and directed by Imtiaz Ali and tells the story of Punjab’s original rockstar of the masses, the highest record selling artist of his time who emerged from the shadows of poverty and rose to the heights of popularity in the 80s on the sheer power of his music. Amar Singh Chamkila will release on April 12 on Netflix India.

Amar Singh Chamkila angered many people during his musical journey which lead to his assassination at the young age of 27. The music of Amar Singh Chamkila has been given by the legendary music maestro AR Rahman and Irshad Kamil has given the lyrics. The audience is waiting with anticipation as the trio of Imtiaz, Rahman and Irshad Kamil unite after a time period of 9 years.

Diljit Dosanjh and Parineeti Chopra have also sung some of the songs of Amar Singh Chamkila. Speaking about Amar Singh Chamkila, Imtiaz Ali said stories of young musicians that challenge the norms of society, who see unprecedented success and then have violent ends is unfortunately a worldwide phenomenon.

Ali said the life and times of Chamkila raised important questions for society but it is a celebration of an artist, the story of a musician who could never give up his first love – Music. He said Amar Singh Chamkila found the ideal partner in Netflix who was both passionate and able to take the film to the most diverse audience.

Ruchika Kapoor Sheikh, Director of Original Films, Netflix India added telling unique and deeply rooted local stories is at the heart of their efforts at Netflix. She said collaborating with Imtiaz Ali they have masterfully chronicled the life of Amar Singh Chamkila. She added this is nothing short of inspiring. Sheikh said A.R Rahman has given stellar music for Amar Singh Chamkila along with original songs of the artist.

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Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff share Bade Miyan Chote Miyan trailer on social media

The star cast of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan includes Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Sonakshi Sinha, Manushi Chhillar and Alaya F. Bade Miyan Chote Miyan is scheduled to be released in cinemas on Eid, April 10th, 2024.

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The much anticipated trailer of the upcoming action film Bade Miyan Chote Miyan was released on social media on Tuesday. The film has been directed by Ali Abbas Zafar and the star cast of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan includes Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Sonakshi Sinha, Manushi Chhillar and Alaya F.

The trailer opens with a glimpse of the global threat – a dangerous weapon in the wrong hands. The audience is introduced to the 2 heroes Bade Miyan (Akshay Kumar) and Chote Miyan (Tiger Shroff). Despite the fact there is a vast difference in the personalities of the two actors, both of them must join forces to retrieve the weapon and save the day.

The trailer has non-stop action sequences which showcase high flying stunts, intense hand to hand combat and explosive chase sequences. The trailer boasts of thrilling car races to gravity-defying fight choreography. The film offers a visually stunning cinematic experience.

In the trailer Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff play Indian army officers who are on a mission to fight against India’s most dangerous enemy played by Prithviraj Sukumaran. Bade Miyan Chote Miyan has a blend of patriotism and larger-than-life action which is amicably complemented by its grand VFX.

Prithviraj Sukumaran plays the role of a phycopath who has stolen an asset from Indian army and which can be used as a lethal weapon against humanity. The trailer ends with Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff fighting each other as they say they can sacrifice their lives for their friendship and even take each other’s lives.

 The full fledged trailer shows the character’s dynamics with each other, the central conflict which forms the main plot of the film which is accompanied by the high flying action sequences for which both Akshay Kuamr and Tiger Shroff are known for. Bade Miyan Chote Miyan is scheduled to be released in cinemas on Eid, April 10th, 2024.

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Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Shilpa Shetty starrer Baazigar to re-release in theatres

Abbas Mustan-helmed film Baazigar was first released in theatres in 1993.

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The 1993 cult-classic film Baazigar, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol Shilpa Shetty, is everyone’s all time favourite. Abbas Mustan’s romantic thriller has a large fan base because of its storyline, music, and exceptional performances, especially King Khan’s. As part of the Retro Film Festival, the film will be re-released in theatres, according to a recent report.

Shah Rukh Khan made the significant statement on social media. , Sharing a poster of the film’s re-release, he said, flashback to a time when magic unfolded on the silver screen! They are inviting film’s fans to recreate those times with the legendary Bollywood film Baazigar at Retro Film Festival, he added.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C4zokrhIzED/

The Pathaan actor continued saying, he is excited to accompany eveyone on this emotional journey as someone who was privileged to bring this magic to life. He also said, together, let’s commemorate the enduring Bollywood era!

The exciting news was also shared on social media by Shah Rukh Khan’s Baazigar co-stars, Kajol and Shilpa Shetty, which causing all the fans to jump with joy.

Baazigar, which was directed by Abbas Mustan, which became a landmark for a number of artists involved in the 1993 release. In addition to establishing himself as one of the greatest actors in the role of Ajay Sharma/Vicky Malhotra, Shah Rukh Khan also had a successful debut in the film with Shilpa Shetty. Dalip Tahil’s portrayal of Madan Chopra turned into one of Bollywood’s most iconic antagonists.

Following three consecutive high-grossing films in 2023, Shah Rukh Khan is now preparing for Sujoy Ghosh-helmed film King. In this film he will be seen sharing screen-space with his daughter Suhana Khan. The father-daughter duo film will be co-produced by Siddharth Anand.

Meanwhile, Kajol will be next seen in Kanika Dhillon-helmed film Do Patti co-starring Kriti Sanon. On the other hand, Shilpa Shetty was last seen in Rohit Shetty’s Indian Police Force which also stars Sidharth Malhota and Vivek Oberai in key roles. She will be next seen in Sukhee 2.

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