"I am a witness and The Kashmir Files is my testimony."
Fans have shown The Kashmir Files a huge amount of support.
The film was made on an estimated budget of Rs. 15 Crore (£1.5 million). Since releasing on March 11, 2022, it has made Rs. 60 Crore (£6 million) so far.
The Kashmir Files is about the exodus of Kashmiri Hindus in the 1990s due to the Kashmir Insurgency.
It stars Anupam Kher and Mithun Chakraborty while Vivek Agnihotri directed the drama.
Unlike other Hindi films, it does not have any songs.
The Kashmir Files had a limited theatrical release in India but the combination of the film being declared tax-free in multiple states ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party and word of mouth propelled its success.
In an article, boxofficeindia.com wrote:
“The Kashmir Files is on its way to join the list of historic blockbusters in Hindi cinema.
“The last time a small film achieved this was Jai Santoshi Maa in 1975.”
On social media, fans have expressed their support for the film.
One person said: “I watched The Kashmir Files at the weekend in Bengaluru. It’s heartbreaking and I couldn’t stop my tears. Every Indian much watch.”
Another commented: “The Kashmir Files is not a movie, it’s a revolution… We need Justice. Thank you Vivek Agnihotri.”
Many have praised Anupam Kher’s performance as Pushkar Nath Pandit, with some comparing his performance to that of the late Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight.
Anonymous compliments are the best because you know they aren’t trying to gain anything out of it!! Thank you my anonymous friend for making this. I am delighted to see it!! ???#TheKashmirFiles @vivekagnihotri pic.twitter.com/dp9quVRGQb
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) March 15, 2022
In a video posted on Twitter, Anupam stated that his role in The Kashmir Files is different to other acting roles because he is a mouthpiece for all the Kashmiri Hindus who were affected.
He said: “Today I am no longer just an actor.
“I am a witness and The Kashmir Files is my testimony.
“All those Kashmiri Hindus, who were either killed or lived like a dead body, were uprooted from the land of their forefathers. Still longing for justice.
“Now I am the tongue and face of all those Kashmiri Hindus.”
?? ??? ?????? ??????? ???? ??????? ???? ??? ?? #TheKashmirFiles ???? ????? ????? ?? ??????? ?????,?? ?? ?? ??? ???? ?? ?? ???? ?? ?? ?? ?? ??? ???? ???????? ?????? ?? ????? ?? ????? ?? ???? ??? ????? ?? ????? ?? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ?? ?? ??????? ??????? ?? ?????? ?? ????? ????? pic.twitter.com/d2msvxzw8h
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) March 11, 2022
In addition to fans, famous Indian personalities reacted to The Kashmir Files‘ success.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said of the film:
“They are shocked that the truth that they tried to suppress is now coming out with the backing of facts and efforts.
“You must have heard the discussion about The Kashmir Files, those who carry around the flag of freedom of expression, that whole group is rattled for the last few days.
“Instead of assessing the film on the basis of facts and truth, a campaign is on to discredit it.”
Stating that history has to be presented in the right context before the society, Modi said just as books, poetry, and literature play a role in this, in the same way even films can do the same.
“My issue is not about a film, but about bringing the truth in its correct form before the country.
“There can be many aspects of truth and different views, those who think it is not correct can make their own film, but they are shocked that the truth that they tried to suppress is now coming out with the backing of facts and efforts.”
Yami Gautam said: “Having been married to a Kashmiri Pandit (Aditya Dhar) and having interacted with so many of them by the virtue of our relationship, I have gotten to know so many of their stories.
“And when you get to know that there is a film out there, which talks about what happened back then, it becomes important to support the cause.
“When now you hear such stories and being a part of the fraternity, you realise how important this film is.”
“People are so emotional about this film and they are feeling so strongly and deeply about it.
“So why not come out and support it and talk about it and express ourselves.”
While there has been a largely positive response, some people claimed that there are efforts by some to diminish its success by buying tickets and not going to watch the film.
Some cinemas have also not put up the film’s poster while others have reduced the volume of the film’s audio.
The Kashmir Files is the second part of Vivek Agnihotri’s political franchise.
The Tashkant Files was released in 2019 while the next film is The Delhi Files, which is believed to be about the 1984 Sikh riots.
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