History
The film began in 1990 and reaches this year. Krishna (Darshan Kumar), who is studying in Delhi, came 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, a discussion began between them about the emigration and genocide of the Kashmiri pandits, and the story dates back to 1990.
The story of 1990 begins with the assassination of Satish Tiku by JKLF. Terrorists have been shown roaming the streets of Kashmir with weapons and searching and killing Kashmiri pandits, burning their homes. Neither women nor children were spared. The slogans of “Raliv, Chaliv or Galiv” echo in the street, which means “Either change your religion, or run away, or die …” With the first scene, the director makes it clear that the film is based on the 1990 incident. .
History
Based on documented reports, the film depicts all the violence against Kashmiri pandits. Be it the killing of BK Ganju in a rice barrel 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 Bram Dut (Mithun Chakraborty), IAS employee, DGP Hari Narayan (Puniet Issar), Vishnu Ram (Atul Srivastava), who works for the media, and Dr. Mahesh Kumar ( Atul Srivastava). Prakash Belavadi) for help, but all proved helpless before the crippled administration of the then state. All these signs are symbolic, showing the silent government at the time.
The director pointed out today’s youth through Krishna’s dilemma in the film. On the one hand, his professor Radhika Menon (Palavi Joshi) makes slogans for “azadi” from Kashmir, on the other hand the family and history of the Kashmiri pandits. Which side Krishna demands justice from is the story of the film.
directing
After years of research, Vivek Agnihotri is working on the script for this film and it is also visible on screen. The director raised many points in this story about the resettlement and genocide of the Kashmiri pandits. Like many who believe there was no eviction, there is no genocide. Some believe that the Kashmiri Hindus were not expelled from 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’s character Nath Pandit shows a common victim Pandit, Sharda’s character shows atrocities against women, and Krishna’s character shows the third generation of pandits who are unaware of the realities of the past.
However, if we go beyond the emotional side, then there are some flaws in the film. The story seems repetitive in many places and leaves no room for imagination. Whether it’s massacre scenes or other acts of violence. The director was seen eating with a spoon to show the brutality of the terrorists. So many questions come to the fore in the film one after the other that you have no chance to connect with anyone but a few characters.
acting
The star cast of the film is very strong. Anupam Kher did a great job in the image of Pushkar Nath Pandit. Its character stuns you and leaves you moist as you walk. The pain, despair and hope of the Kashmiri pandits are seen in their every gesture. Darshan Kumar has some strong scenes in the character of Krishna, with which he has done complete justice. At the same time, Chinmai Mandlekar is so ingrained in his character (Farooq Malik Bitta) that you will not be able to leave the theater without hating him. Naughty Joshi is just as effective as a professor. Mithun Chakraborty, Atul Srivastava, Prakash Belavadi, Puniet Issar, Bhasha Sumbali, who play important roles in the film, are impressive with their images.
technical side
The film is very impressive on a technical level. The cameraman of Udai Singh Mohite perfectly captures the horrifying scene unfolding on the streets of Kashmir. Seeing the fire in the streets, streets and houses passing through the beauty of Lake Dahl and the mountains gives you constant anxiety. But the story continues to bind. The editing of the film is huge in some parts. But it could have been a little more tense. Some of the violent scenes can 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.
I see or I don’t see
It is very touching and painful to see this dark story 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 political leanings … then it is heartbreaking to see the brutal atrocities against the Kashmiri pandits in this film, humanity and the justice system fall to their knees. 3 stars from Filmibeat for “The Kashmir Files”.
For more Bollywood updates, Click here.