‘The Kashmir Files’ review will take you to places you never imagined that could have happened in the India’s beautiful Kashmir.
When it was released, Vivek Agnihotri’s ‘The Kashmir Files’ became the most talked-about film. The debate between the left and the right is still going on. Everyone is chipping in with different opinions. So, it is safe to say that it is an extremely polarizing film, which is rare for Indian cinema. ‘The Kashmir Files’ uncovers the tragedy that unfolded in the Kashmir valley, saw the forced exodus and genocide of Kashmiri pandits from their rightful home. Fiction is mixed with hard-hitting facts in a documentary-style fashion to present a compelling case for justice.
The insurgency in the 1990s saw unabated acts of violence and hatred towards this particular community. Therefore, it is hard to look past how the film brings out the plight of pandits despite the subtle agenda of the filmmaker.
The Kashmir Files: Plot and Story
The story revolves around the internal disturbances in Kashmir brought into motion by public calls for self-determination. The unrest in the Muslim majority area of the erstwhile State displaced the majority of Kashmiri pandits from their homes and led to the killing and torture of many. The film’s scope covers almost all individual cases of extremity published by media houses to emphasize the traumatic effects of the period on the community.
The Kashmir Files: Themes and Analysis
There is a considerable debate about the ideological precedent of the film. Some critics argue that the narrative is squarely to rouse up hateful religious feelings. Supporters dismiss it as another attempt to undermine the plight of the Pandits. Yes, the events in ‘The Kashmir Files’ happened.
Specific cases presented to relay a sense of brutality are etched forever into the nation’s memory. But at the same time, there is an intentional attempt to conveniently navigate the totality of the truth to go for a more shocking, sensationalism type of filmmaking.
‘The Kashmir Files’ should be viewed more as a documentary of the events rather than a film. How director Vivek Agnihotri places the setting and frames a volatile Kashmir is admirable. It is decent filmmaking that respects itself and the intelligence of its audience. The storytelling could have been more grounded and generous in how it unfurls the events, but the end product is warmly satisfying.
Final Word
‘The Kashmir Files’ is a well-made film. It keeps the tension restricted to the horrors of those nights in the Valley. Agnihotri does his best to distinguish between theatrics and drama with a decent ensemble. But the film becomes chaotic with an ulterior agenda that spoils the mood.
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