- Posted by Filmi Beat, last updated on 10 March, 2022

Story

The film starts from 1990 and reaches the current year. Krishna (Darshan Kumar) studying in Delhi has come to Srinagar to fulfill the last wish of his grandfather Pushkar Nath Pandit (Anupam Kher). Unaware of Kashmir’s past, she searches for the truth about her family. In Srinagar, he meets four of his grandfather’s friends. Gradually, the discussion of exodus and genocide of Kashmiri Pandits starts between them and the story reaches in the year 1990.

The story of the year 1990 begins with the murder of Satish Tikku by JKLF. It is shown how terrorists are roaming around with guns in the streets of Kashmir and are searching and killing Kashmiri Pandits, burning their houses. Neither the women are being spared, nor the children. Slogans of ‘Raliv, Chaliv or Galiv’ are echoing in the street, which means “Either change religion, or run or die..” With the first scene, the director makes it clear that the film is based on the 1990 incident. Deeply touching.

Story

Based on documented reports, the film depicts all the violence against Kashmiri Pandits. Be it the killing of BK Ganju in a barrel of rice or the Nadimarg massacre, where 24 Kashmiri Pandits were shot dead by terrorists disguised as the Indian Army. We see these incidents through the eyes of Pushkar Nath Pandit (Anupam Kher) and his family. He lives in Srinagar with his son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren. When his family is in danger, he meets his four friends Brahm Dutt (Mithun Chakraborty), an IAS officer, DGP Hari Narayan (Puneet Issar), Vishnu Ram (Atul Srivastava) who works for the media, and Dr. Mahesh Kumar (Atul Srivastava). Prakash Belawadi) for help, but all appear helpless before the crippled administration of the then state. All these characters are symbolic, which show the government which was silent at that time.

The director has pointed to today’s youth through Krishna’s dilemma in the film. On one hand his professor Radhika Menon (Pallavi Joshi) makes slogans of “Azadi” of Kashmir, on the other hand his family and history of Kashmiri Pandits. From which side does Krishna demand justice, this is the story of the film.

directing

Vivek Agnihotri has worked on the script of this film after years of research and he is also seen on screen. The director has raised many points in this story of displacement and genocide of Kashmiri Pandits. As are many who believe that there was no exodus, no genocide. Some believe that Kashmiri Hindus were not driven out of their homes, but left of their own accord. The answer is given in the film. The director mainly tries to show us the plight of Kashmiri Pandits through three characters – Pushkar Nath Pandit’s character shows a common victim Pandit, Sharda’s character shows atrocities on women, and Krishna’s character shows the third generation of Pandits. who is ignorant of the realities of the past.

However, if we go above the emotional side, then there are some shortcomings in the film. The story seems repetitive at many places and leaves no room for imagination. Be it scenes of massacre or other violent acts.. The director has been seen spoonfeeding to show the brutality of the terrorists. In the film, so many issues come to the fore one after the other that you do not get a chance to connect with anyone except a few characters.

acting

The starcast of the film is very strong. Anupam Kher has done a great job in the character of Pushkar Nath Pandit. His character stuns you and leaves you moist as you go. The pain, despair and hope of Kashmiri Pandits can be seen in their every gesture. Darshan Kumar has got some strong scenes in the character of Krishna, with which he has done full justice. At the same time, Chinmay Mandlekar has become so ingrained in his character (Farooq Malik Bitta) that you will not be able to come out of the theater without hating him. Pallavi Joshi is equally effective in the role of Professor. Mithun Chakraborty, Atul Srivastava, Prakash Belavadi, Puneet Issar, Bhasha Sumbali, who play important roles in the film, are impressive in their characters.

technical side

The film impresses a lot on a technical level. Uday Singh Mohite’s cinematography perfectly captures the horrific scene unfolding in the streets of Kashmir. Seeing the fire in the streets, streets and houses passing through the beauty of Dal Lake and the mountains gives you constant restlessness. But the story continues to bind. The editing of the film is tremendous in some parts. But it could have been done a little more tight. Some of the violent scenes could also be left to the imagination of the audience. The background score of the film is given by Rohit Sharma, which gives strength to the film.

see or not see

It is very touching and painful to see this dark history of the beautiful valleys of Kashmir on the big screen. But also important. Vivek Agnihotri’s film ‘The Kashmir Files‘ is based on facts. Looking away from the political inclination.. then it is heartbreaking to see the brutal atrocities on Kashmiri Pandits in this film, humanity and justice system coming to their knees. 3 stars from Filmibeat for ‘The Kashmir Files’.