69th National Film Awards: ‘The Kashmir Files’ Adjudged Best Feature Film on National Integration

New Delhi: Vivek Agnihotri’s controversial film, ‘The Kashmir Files,’ has been awarded the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration at the 69th National Film Awards. The movie delves into the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits during the 1990s militancy. Starring Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, and Pallavi Joshi, the film gained attention at the International Film Festival of India, drawing both praise and criticism.

Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid, who chaired the IFFI jury, criticized the film as “vulgar propaganda,” sparking a strong response from the creators of ‘The Kashmir Files’ and even the Israeli envoy to India. The movie’s success was recognized by BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, leading to tax exemptions in BJP-governed states.

Despite commercial success, the film faced opposition, with accusations of promoting communal sentiments and factual inaccuracies. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor highlighted its ban in Singapore due to concerns over community disharmony. Agnihotri and the cast defended the film, refuting claims of propaganda and asserting their intention to shed light on the struggles of a particular group.

‘The Kashmir Files’ continues to be a subject of debate, emblematic of the complex intersection of art, politics, and social impact.