In our nation, controversy surrounds movie awards almost every year. The 69th National Film Awards, which were revealed a few days ago, stirred a national discussion from many sectors around the country, as they do every year. This year's controversy over these awards was largely brought on by vivek Agnihotri's divisive movie "The kashmir Files," which is one of the key causes.

It is well known that the jury chose "The kashmir Files" as the best feature film in national integration and gave it the nargis Dutt Award. This choice attracted criticism since it seemed to be made in a satirical manner. Many critics labelled The kashmir Files, which depicted the condition of Kashmiri intellectuals during the height of the insurgency in kashmir - SRINAGAR/JAMMU' target='_blank' title='jammu and kashmir-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW'>jammu and kashmir, as anti-Muslim propaganda. When the movie first came out, there was a significant outcry since many believed that the director's biassed perspective would fuel racial animosity throughout the nation.

Despite the movie becoming a box office hit, there were several anti-movie rallies and requests for a complete ban on its release. Even some influential political figures, such as tamil Nadu cm Stalin, have criticised the filmmakers, claiming their movie had a hidden objective.

Critics are already voicing their disagreement with the jury's choice of a contentious movie for the "The National Integration" category. Many people have criticised their choice as being sheer mocking. In the past, meritorious films like Roja, Bombay, Sapthapadi, Rudraveena, Border, Mr. and Mrs. Iyer, and Shaheed Uddham Singh, etc., received Oscars in the same category for advancing moral principles, racial peace, and unity in diversity without stirring up any controversy. However, detractors claim that The kashmir Files is a poor substitute for such films.

The kashmir Files has apparently had backing from the central government because it has been an open secret since the moment it was launched. Even after the movie's premiere, a few BJP-affiliated politicians actively endorsed it. Therefore, it is impossible to rule out a political motivation for naming the movie "The Best Film in the National Integration." It is time that political views should not influence the jury's decision since films should promote culture and unity rather than prejudice and strife.
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The Kashmir Files

S Venkateshwari

27/08/2023 10:13 AM