Anupam Kher criticized Nadav Lapid for his remarks on the ‘Kashmir Records’.
New Delhi:
Comments by the head of the jury of the 53rd International Film Festival of India or IFFI about the film ‘Kashmir Records’ caused a stir in public opinion.
Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid, head of the IFFI jury, called Vivek’s director Agnihotri a “propaganda” and a “vulgar film” in Goa last night.
Actor Anupam Kher, who stars in the film, called criticism of the ‘Kashmir Records’ at the film festival “premeditated” and accused Mr Lapid of being insensitive to the suffering of the victims. Kashmiri Pandas.
Mr Kher, speaking to the media with Israel’s consul general Kobbi Shoshani – who also condemned Mr Lapid’s remarks, said: “If you’re a jury member, you can’t use words like ‘vulgar’ or propaganda’. I think it’s a vulgar comment by that person, being a vulgar and opportunistic person.”
“Using the IFFI platform for your own agenda is not only regrettable but also disgusting,” Mr. Kher said.
The actor blames what he calls a “tool gang” for the entire controversy.
“A reliable source informed me that he disappeared from his room during the night. This is not a statement he will make at the closing ceremony of the film festival. What he said is completely different. This was pre-planned shortly after his comment, the toolkit gang became active on social media,” he said.
He said it was a shame that someone from a (Jewish) community that had to endure the horrors of the Holocaust would make such derogatory remarks towards a film based on the Holocaust. exodus of Kashmiri scholars.
“Whoever does not understand the pain of the Holocaust victims in his country cannot understand the pain of the Kashmiri Pandits,” Mr. Kher said.
“I as a Kashmiri Scholar reject his remarks,” he said.
The actor said Kobbi Shoshani phoned him to apologize for Nadav Lapid’s remarks and then came to see him.
“That is Nadav Lapid’s personal view, it has nothing to do with the State of Israel. We do not accept that,” Mr. Shoshani told the media.
Mr Kher last night shared images from “The Kashmir Files” and the movie “Schindler’s List” on Twitter. “Schindler List” is a movie based on carnage.
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.. pic.twitter.com/OfOiFgkKtD– Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) November 28, 2022
Without mentioning Nadav Lapid’s name, Mr Kher wrote: “No matter how big a lie, it is always small compared to the truth.”
“We were all confused and shocked by the 15th film: The Kashmir Records. To us, it was like a propaganda, vulgar film that didn’t match an artistically competitive part of the film. such a prestigious film festival. I feel completely comfortable sharing these feelings openly with you here on stage. Because the spirit of a film festival is to embrace an important discussion. , essential to art and life,” Mr Lapid said in his speech at the closing ceremony of the film festival.
Israeli Ambassador to India Naor Gilon also criticized Nadav Lapid for his remarks on the “Kashmir Records”.
In an open letter to Mr. Lapid, Mr. Gilon wrote: “In Indian culture they say that a guest is like God. You have abused in the worst way India’s invitation to chair the board. judges at @IFFIGoa as well as the trust fund. The respect and warm hospitality they have shown you.”
“The friendship between the peoples and nations of India and Israel is very strong and will last long after the damage you have caused. As a human being, I feel ashamed and would like to apologize to the owners. our home for the bad manners we repay them. generosity and friendship,” he wrote.
An open letter to #NadavLapid after his criticism of #KashmirFiles. It is not in Hebrew because I want our Indian brothers and sisters to be able to understand. It’s also relatively long so I’ll give you the bottom line first. YOU SHOULD SHOULD SHOW. Here’s why: pic.twitter.com/8YpSQGMXIR
– Naor Gilon (@NaorGilon) November 29, 2022
The Kashmir Records’ was screened at IFFI on 22nd November as part of the Panoramic India Section. The film is based on the exodus of Kashmiri scholars from the Valley in the 1990s.
The jury of the 53rd International Film Festival in Goa shied away from the chief’s remarks about the film ‘Kashmir Records’, calling it “completely the personal opinion of he”.
