Vivek Agnihotri reacts to Nadav Lapid's apology
Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri reacted to Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid's apology regarding the latter's comments on The Kashmir Files at the closing ceremony of IFFI 2022. Lapid's had called the film "vulgar," "propaganda," and inappropriate for the competition category of the festival. His comments triggered a debate, leading to celebrities and netizens taking sides. Israeli diplomats also apologized to the film's makers after the incident.
Why does this story matter?
The Kashmir Files, directed by Vivek Agnihotri, premiered earlier this year and grabbed the eyeballs of citizens. The film started off slow at the box office but picked up with word of mouth. The house was divided—one criticized the film while the other praised it. Lapid's comments sparked debate among intellectuals and Bollywood celebrities, straining relations between India and Israel.
Agnihotri's reply to Lapid's apology
Agnihotri spoke to Hindustan Times and said that he does not care about Lapid's apology. He further stated that he is in Pune to shoot his next project and people are praising the film. He said, "People are thanking me for making the film, so why do I need an endorsement from a foreigner? What does he know about my country?"
Agnihotri's challenge to Lapid
He stated, "My only answer is Farhan Akhtar's quote -- If it doesn't come from the heart, it is not an apology." The director had earlier challenged Lapid, saying that he would leave filmmaking if any visual, dialogue or event is proven wrong. Agnihotri also announced that The Kashmir Files: Unreported, which will be a documentary, will be finished by 2023.
Lapid's comments at 'IFFI 2022'
At the closing ceremony of IFFI 2022, jury head, Lapid, called The Kashmir Files "propaganda, vulgar movie, inappropriate for an artistic competitive section of such a prestigious film festival." The film is based on the Kashmiri Pandits' exodus in 1990 from the Kashmir Valley. The film received polarized opinions ever since its release. With word of mouth, the film emerged as a blockbuster.
