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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline DECEMBER 10, 2021 | The Indian Eye 17

land, Florida, Atlanta (GA), Boston cast and an opportunity to watch it
(MA), North Carolina, Denver (CO), earlier was enough and surely it caught
Chicago (IL), Austin (TX), Dallas my pulse and held on to it throughout.
(TX), Seattle (WA), Fremont (CA), It was not a movie that I was watch-
LA (CA), Houston (TX) and Man- ing, it was an experience I was going
hattan (NY), and an Impact Events through, a journey, a revelation, a
with a special version for universities learning that shook me inside out. It
and policy makers in Washington, DC. weaved the characters, the incidents
Speaking about the importance and the emotions during the 90’s with
of the movie, Sunil Hali said, “This the Kashmiri Hindus. And it was an
story had to be shared with the glob- eye-opener as it felt I had unknowing-
al audience. People have opinions on ly chosen not to ever find out the truth
Kashmir and India in general without being part of the same country. Each
any knowledge of its rich history, pain character is amazing and has put their
and suffering and now re-emergence heart and soul in it and I sat rooted to
as a world power. Kashmir has been my chair throughout.”
the single biggest issue that world “Anupam Kher is at his best as he
has used against India, especially ranged a meeting recently with Sena- perience, stark and unabashed on has gathered the feelings and emotions
our neighbors since 1947. But what tor Mark Warner a few days ago and celluloid and heard muffled sobs all of the community, the incidents, the
happened in Kashmir in 1990 is pure it was a wonderful meeting and a lot around, I felt held by my own and in anguish and has weaved it in his char-
butchering and the community needs of clarity was brought in regarding the that moment of catharsis, I did cry and acter and presence. Each scene took
to be resettled in their homeland. And Kashmir issue. Also, we are thankful how! The Kashmir Files is an experi- me on a journey of revelation, of pain,
the world powers need to have a better to Ramesh Kapur for organizing the ence!” of how little I was aware of and my own
understanding before sharing opin- event as a co-sponsor,” said Dr Kaul “The brilliance of the plot lies in learnings started peeping at me. His
ions about a land which they have nev- before reading out a statement re- the inclusion of all narratives main- character shape shifted each time and
er even stepped on. This film achieves ceived from Senator Mark Warner who streamed in the last 32 years. It allows there were moments where I felt the
these objectives in all its honesty as the co-chair of the Senate India Caucus. the audience to make up their own pain of the gut-wrenching times and
best narrative. I am proud to take a Talking about the feelings gen- minds even as it presents facts sans teared up,”” she added. “He is at his
lead on this project that was so close erated by the movie, Dr Kaul said, “I any cover-up. It follows the ancient best and yet you know he is not acting.”
to my heart”. was rendered rootless and homeless. literary tradition of itihasa (this hap- “It is a must watch for all and each
Talking about the movie, noted I did not cry. I was unsure where my pened) in Cinema. All the actors, vet- one may pick different threads from
film actor Anupam Kher said: “The next paycheck would come from. I did eran and new, have breathed lives into the fabric of experience and emotions
Kashmir Files is more than a film for not cry. I saw my parents and grand- the characters. We see our lives depict- and truth this movie brings forth.”
me. My performance in this film is parents and extended clan struggle ed there,” Dr Kaul said. “Actors with “Vivek Agnihotri has brought
dedicated to all the Kashmiri Pandits and pass on with the yearning to re- no connect with Kashmiri culture or forth wonderful films yet The Kashmir
all over the world who were victims of turn. I did not cry. I had to leave my acquaintance with Kashmiri language Files is at another level. Despite not
terrorism in Kashmir. Also dedicated janmabhoomi and matrabhoomi to use Kashmiri words and phrases like being a Kashmiri Pandit, he handles
to my father whose name I adopted in make a foreign land of opportunities a local. They have transformed into this sensitive topic and pulled together
this film: Pt. Pushkar Nath.” my karmabhoomi. I did not cry. My Kashmiris!” all the facts in an amazing manner. In
Speaking at the event of screening children have grown in this country “Every actor in this movie, includ- my wildest dream I could not imagine
of movie, Dr Surinder Kaul thanked that they call home, without knowing ing supporting cast, deserves applause, writing a review for a movie yet here
the filmmaker and his crew for the the sacred geography that I call my appreciation, and awards! The Kash- I am. I guess some movies make you
film. “We thank you from the bottom home. I did not cry. There are so many mir Files will give rise to more Na- think and take you a step closer to
of our hearts for what you have done things that have happened in my life tional Film Awards Winners in days to your own self. I wondered how odd if
for us, that has remained hidden for as a Kashmiri Pandit Hindu - a victim come.” I could never go back to that part of
the last 32 years from the world and of a focused genocide. I have withheld Expressing her views about the the country where I came from… …
from Indians, and the whole commu- my tears and channelized my pain into iconic film, Mona Batlaw said, “The this thought shook me up. And yet I
nity is very much thankful to you all,” productive measures for the greater Kashmir Files is a rare movie I went know my words do not do justice to
said Dr Kaul in his address. “I am very good.” to see without watching the trailer or this thought-provoking movie,” Bat-
thankful to Ramesh Kapur. He ar- “But today as I saw my lived ex- knowing any details about it. Its title, law said.

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