Vivek Agnihotri and Pallavi Joshi dedicate award to Kashmiri Pundits
In a resounding victory for director Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, the acclaimed film "The Kashmir Files" secured the prestigious Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration at the 69th National Film Awards, held on Thursday. The ceremony unfolded at the National Media Centre and was presided over by a distinguished jury, with a staggering 280 films spanning 28 languages competing for various coveted awards.
"The Kashmir Files" paints a compelling narrative centred on the harrowing events of the 1990 exodus of Kashmiri Hindus from their homeland. This poignant cinematic masterpiece features an ensemble cast, including veterans like Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Darshan Kumar, and Pallavi Joshi, who breathe life into the characters and story.
The film's storyline follows the journey of a young Kashmiri Hindu college student, raised under the protective wing of his exiled grandfather, shielded from the painful truth surrounding his parents' demise. It is only after his grandfather's passing that the student embarks on a relentless quest to uncover the truth behind his family's tragic fate.
What sets "The Kashmir Files" apart is its narrative structure, which alternates between the student's contemporary pursuit in 2020 and the heart-wrenching experiences of his family, which unfolded thirty years prior. This dual timeline weaves a tapestry of emotion, history, and stark reality, serving as a poignant reminder of the tragic events that reshaped countless lives during the exodus.
"The Kashmir Files" has not only garnered critical acclaim but also struck a chord with audiences for its unflinching portrayal of history and its unrelenting pursuit of truth. The film's recognition at the National Film Awards reaffirms its role in fostering national unity and integration by shedding light on an important chapter in India's history.
As the accolades continue to pour in, "The Kashmir Files" stands as a testament to the power of cinema to illuminate the past, provoke thought, and spark conversations that resonate with viewers across the nation. Its contribution to the discourse on national integration is a testament to the enduring impact of storytelling in the realm of cinema.
Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, "I am in America and I started receiving calls from my friends from where I came to know that 'The Kashmir Files' has won the 69th National Film Awards in the category of National Integration Award. National Award is the prestigious award of India. Since starting I have been saying that The Kashmir Files is not my film and I was the only medium. This award I am dedicating this on behalf of our IamBuddha Production Company to all the victims of terrorists especially to the Kashmiri Hindus besides that, in the whole corner of the world the Hindus who are facing terrorism, and this film is their voice, their sufferings so it belongs to them."
Pallavi Joshi said, "I am in Chicago right now for the promotion of our new film 'The Vaccine War'. I am very happy about winning this award, of course, every actor will be happy but I am happier that our film won the 69th National Award in the category of Best National Integration because that is very important for us. I dedicate this award to the entire Kashmiri Pundit community and all the prosecuted communities in the world who have suffered at the hands of terrorism"
