Filmmaker Nadav Lapid from Israel, who is the jury chair for IFFI 2022, has come under fire for making debatable comments about Vivek Agnihotri's movie "The Kashmir Files" on Monday during the festival's closing ceremony.

The Kashmir Files, according to Lapid, is a "propaganda, vulgar film," and he added that he was "shocked" to find it in the competition category of such an esteemed film festival.

Lapid Criticising The Kashmir Files in a video

Lapid is seen criticizing the movie in a popular festival video. The Israeli director made the comment at the festival's closing ceremony, according to a source.

Many people did not like Lapid's comments. The Kashmir Files actor Darshan Kumaar also responded to Lapid's comments. He played one of the major roles in the film.

Darshan Kumaar’s statement to ANI

In reaction to it, Darshan said, "Everyone has their own individual opinions on anything they see and perceive .... But one can't deny the fact that The Kashmir files is a film which has depicted the actual plight of the Kashmiri pandit community... who are still fighting for justice against the brutal acts of terrorism... so this film is not based on vulgarity but on reality."

The organizers declined to respond when approached about the jury head's comments regarding the Kashmir Files.

About The Kashmir Files

The schedule for the IFFI's Indian Panorama category for the year 2022 contained The Kashmir Files, which was released earlier this year. The life of Kashmiri Pandits in 1990, during the Kashmir conflict, is the subject of the movie. Based on first-generation video interviews, it is a factual story.