New Delhi: ‘The Kashmir Files’, an upcoming film by noted filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri, is a historical film depicting the horrific massacre of hundreds of thousands of indigenous Kashmiri Hindus in 1990.
The Global Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora (GKPD) has been at the forefront of making the world aware of the interactive effects of the trauma and genocide faced by the Kashmiri Hindu community.
The broad outline of the film was conceptualized by GKPD in association with I Am Buddha Foundation in early 2018. It culminated in a two-year ‘research tour’ by Vivek Agnihotri, director and producer Pallavi Joshi, from which he traveled extensively. India, the US, the UK and Singapore heard firsthand from the victims about the atrocities being committed by the community. These stories form the backdrop of this well-researched film.
The film aims to raise awareness among international communities about the menace of terrorism and the need to root it out globally so that peace and humanity can flourish. It reflects a humanitarian view of the challenges global terrorism brings to communities and the suffering it causes.
To begin the film’s worldwide release, a US wide promotion tour – ‘The Right to Justice Tour’ – was organized by GKPD in collaboration with its various partners in the US from 26 November, representing several sections of the Indian community. it was done. By December 30, 2021.
During this period, screenings were held in 15 US cities – Long Island NY, Edison NJ, Washington DC, Tampa, Atlanta, Boston, Raleigh, Chicago, Denver, Dallas, Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, Austin and Houston.
All special screenings were held in major theaters across the US and sold out within hours of going public. American politicians, lawmakers, media figures, Indian-Americans, Jewish and eminent members of other communities participated in large numbers.
Hundreds of audience members took to social media and the local press to express their gratitude to Agnihotri and his team, ultimately bringing honest beliefs about the massacre, which has hitherto been hidden from the public.
Acclaimed actor Mithun Chakraborty, who has a lead role in the film, attended the Long Island screening and spoke very poignantly about his experience during the filming. Other renowned actors, Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, Puneet Issar and Darshan Kumar, are part of the star-studded cast.
During the screening, various impact events were held at prestigious locations across the US, most notably the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC, Capitol Hill, Harvard Club Boston, the University of Massachusetts, the University of Denver, Georgia Tech, and the MECA Center Houston.
The GKPD, in partnership with the US-India Security Council, hosted a Congress reception on Capitol Hill on December 2, where Congressman Andy Barr emphasized the contribution of Indo-Americans.
Noted Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamarthy said that “the Kashmiri Pandit community is one of the most successful Indian-American communities and has faced all the challenges that they have faced and overcome in the past.”
In his keynote address, Agnihotri said, “The first principle of humanity and unity comes from Kashmir.”
During the visit, the Governor of Rhode Island State Daniel J Mackie presented the Certificate of Special Recognition to Agnihotri and Pallavi Joshi. The State Senate of Massachusetts also formally congratulated Agnihotri for his contribution to the Indian film industry.
The grand finale of the roadshow was held on 30 December in Houston. A huge car rally was organized and the visiting guests were taken in a motor convoy to the screening theatre. The screening was attended by over 400 people including MPs, community leaders and members of think-tanks.
At the screening, Surinder Kaul, the chief organizer of the tour and co-founder of GKPD, thanked the visiting guests for their extraordinary commitment to making this highly impactful film and bringing out the truth.
‘The Kashmir Files’ is soon going to release worldwide.
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