Vivek Agnihotri's film 'The Kashmir Files' was awarded with the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film in the National Integration category at the National Film Awards announcement on Thursday. However, several political figures, including Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, expressed their dismay at the film receiving the award, deeming it "surprising."
Omar Abdullah responded to the film's win by mocking it and shared a tweet with the words "National integration" followed by a laughing emoticon.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin also criticized the film receiving the award and expressed, "The dignity of national awards should not be compromised for cheap politics." He further stated, "It is surprising that a film, which was not recognized by impartial film critics and considered controversial, has been bestowed with the National Integration Nargis Dutt award."
MK Stalin shared his thoughts on the awards, emphasizing the importance of impartiality in literary and film awards, making them a timeless honor. He also congratulated the other award recipients, particularly those who contributed to Tamil cinema.
However, 'The Kashmir Files' has garnered support from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and numerous senior leaders of the BJP. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan even granted half-day leave to policemen to watch the film, and in Khargone, the Shiv Sena district president organized free screenings. Several BJP-governed states also waived entertainment tax for the movie.
On social media, there have been videos showing people in theaters shouting divisive slogans and calling for violence against Muslims.
In May of the previous year, Singapore banned 'The Kashmir Files,' citing concerns that the film could fuel animosity among different communities and disrupt religious harmony in the country.
In November, Nadav Lapid, who chaired the jury at the International Film Festival of India, criticized 'The Kashmir Files' as a "propaganda [and] vulgar movie." During his speech, Lapid and other jury members expressed their astonishment and concern that the film had been included in the film festival's International Competition section.
In response, Agnihotri challenged Lapid and other supporters of the criticism, stating that he would quit directing if they could prove that the events depicted in the movie were false.
Many people on social media are also pointing out the biased decision of this government for giving this award to 'The Kashmir Files' and started sharing memes. With this kind of gestures, the credibility of National Awards will be awry and delusional.
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