Filmmaker Nadav Lapid now calls ‘The Kashmir Files’ ‘brilliant movie’, but sticks to his earlier remark

Israeli filmmaker and IFFI jury head Nadav Lapid sparked criticism following his comments on ‘The Kashmir Files’ at the 53rd International Film Festival of India in Goa. He has now addressed his ‘propaganda’ remark in an interview with India Today TV.

Nadav called ‘The Kashmir Files’ a ‘brilliant movie’ but maintained that ‘no one can determine what propaganda is’. He said that the uproar over his remarks is ‘cheap manipulation’ in order to incite people.’

‘No one can be determined what propaganda is. I accept this fact, it’s a brilliant movie. There is no specific key to differentiate any film based on propaganda. The most terrible things that have happened in history might give birth to propaganda and to manipulated movies. And I want to make one thing extremely clear, not even for one second have I thought or imagined talking about the tragedy of Kashmir. What I have done or said is my duty to say what I see and it is a very subjective way. I have the right to say what I think and I am not anybody's property that I will seek any validation,’ he said.

He added that other jury members felt the same way, but fear or anxiety, suddenly changed their statements.
Nadav also apologised to the people for his sharp comments about the critically acclaimed film.

‘I am sorry if people were hurt by my comments. I am an Israeli who has also done military service,’ he said.

‘The Kashmir Files’ has been written and directed by Vivek Agnihotri. It is one of the highest grossing Hindi films of 2022.

Also Watch I Row over Nadav Lapid’s remarks: Vivek Agnihotri announces ‘The Kashmir Files: Unreported’