The Kashmir Files is a 2022 Indian Hindi-language drama film written and directed by Vivek Agnihotri. The film portrays the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Kashmir Valley in the early 1990s, a traumatic event during the Kashmir insurgency when a large number of Hindus were forced to flee their homes due to violent attacks by militants.

Plot:

The movie is a fictionalized retelling of real events and follows the story of a young man, Krishna Pandit, who, as part of an investigation, uncovers the painful history of his family and the plight of Kashmiri Pandits. The film explores the horrors faced by the community during the insurgency, including killings, rapes, and the forced migration of thousands of people from Kashmir. It highlights the personal and collective trauma experienced by the exiled community.

The movie weaves together personal stories and historical events, presenting the emotional, cultural, and social impact of the violence on the community. It also touches on themes of betrayal, loss, and the struggle to rebuild their lives after displacement.

Cast:

  • Anupam Kher as Pushkar Nath Pandit
  • Mithun Chakraborty as Brahma Datt
  • Darshan Kumaar as Krishna Pandit
  • Pallavi Joshi as Radhika Menon
  • Chinmay Mandlekar as Farooq Malik Bitta (a militant leader)
  • Prakash Belawadi as Girdhari Lal

Reception:

The Kashmir Files stirred considerable controversy due to its sensitive subject matter, with some praising the film for shedding light on the sufferings of the Kashmiri Pandit community, while others criticized it for its portrayal of certain characters and events. The movie gained massive attention, with some viewers seeing it as an important part of historical discourse and others arguing that it presented a one-sided view of the conflict. Despite the mixed reactions, it was commercially successful and sparked debates about the history of Kashmir and the experiences of its displaced people.

The film was especially noted for its emotional performances, particularly by Anupam Kher and the intensity of the storytelling, which drew attention to the long-neglected issue of the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits.

Impact:

The Kashmir Files played a significant role in reintroducing the history of the Kashmiri Pandit community's exodus to a broader Indian audience. It has been part of ongoing discussions about the Kashmir conflict, its impact on different communities, and the need for acknowledging the pain and struggles of those affected by it.