'The Kashmir Files' row: Israel rejects filmmaker's criticism

Israel's Consul General Kobbi Shoshani described IFFI jury head Nadav Lapid's controversial remarks on 'The Kashmir Files' as a "big mistake", and added that the comments made by the Israeli filmmaker don't reflect the country's position on the movie.

"Concerning Nadav, we don't accept it. I personally don't accept it. Ambassador, who was there with me in Goa last night, doesn't accept it. It's his own private opinion. He can say that it's the opinion of the Jury which is alright. But it's nothing to do with Israel," Shoshani said.

Speaking about his own experiences with the movie "The Kashmir Files", he said, tears came from his eyes when he saw the film. "It was not an easy film to see. I think it was shown in Israel too. We are Jews who suffered from horrible things and I think we've to share others' suffering."

On November 28, International Film Festival (IFFI) jury head Nadav Lapid called 'Kashmir Files' "vulgar" and "propaganda". His remarks made during the closing ceremony of the film festival, have since gone viral and have invited widespread criticism.

Israeli envoy Naor Gilon slammed the IFFI Jury Head and apologized for the conduct of his countryman at the 2022 IFFI in Goa.

Veteran actor Anupam Kher of the 'The Kashmir Files' fame on November 29 said the comments made by Lapid "shameful".

"If the holocaust was right then the exodus of Kashmiri pandits is also right. This seems pre-planned because immediately after it the tool-kit gang became active. It's shameful for him to make a statement like this even though he comes from a community of Jews who suffered from the holocaust," Kher said.

(ANI)