Anupam Kher’s Character In ‘The Kashmir Files’ Tells Us The Brutal Reality Kashmiri Pandits Faced

The Kashmir Files, directed by Vivek Agnihotri and based on actual facts, is a staged depiction of events that took place in 1989’s militancy-hit Kashmir. The exodus and massacres of Kashmiri Pandits in the 1990s are told from the perspective of a Kashmiri Pandit.

The film is directed by Vivek Agnihotri and produced by Zee Studios, IAmBuddha, and Abhishek Agarwal Arts, with Tej Narayan Agarwal, Abhishek Agarwal, Pallavi Joshi, and Vivek Agnihotri.

The Kashmir Files, which starred national award-winning actors Anupam Kher, Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi, and Prakash Belavdi, experienced various obstacles and objections from individuals who apparently claimed that several parts in the film offended people’s religious sensitivities.

After being given the green light for distribution, The Kashmir Files was released in theatres on March 11, 2022.

During a recent media appearance, Anupam Kher, who plays Pushkar Nath in the film, discussed how he played the character and how he sought to convey the character’s sorrow and misery on screen. He also stated that things were not simple for him because he is a Kashmiri Pandit. They were, in fact, a little more challenging.

He said,

“It is very difficult to play a part that you have experienced first-hand. Because when you’re performing it as an actor, just feeling it, is not important as you’re performing it in the bracket of a film. There are two sides to this character for me, as a person and as a film’s character. As a person, no matter how much someone can relate to a character you can’t act it out, because it is the job of an actor. Every individual feels emotions, but not everyone can act them out.”

The veteran actor added,

“I want to put it out here. Just because I’m a Kashmiri Pandit doesn’t mean I will be able to portray that pain brilliantly unless I can project what I’m feeling.”

The narrative revolves around Pushkar Nath Pandit (Anupam Kher) and his family, and how they were forced to flee their home. While the first half sets the stage, the second half focuses on how and why today’s youth should and should connect with their history.

Anupam revealed that he based his character on his father and used his father’s name to reflect Kashmiri Pandits who were forced to flee their homes. Anupam Kher wants to portray his father’s life in the film. He remarked,

“It’s a wound that has not healed. I played the role of the 5 lakh Pandits who were forced to leave. I chose the name of my father for this character. This is because I wanted to replicate him while enacting this role. “

While several activists and artists slammed the movie for its so-called anti-Muslim content, many celebrities of the movie fraternity openly comes in support of the movie. Several also applauds Anupam Kher’s stunning performance in the movie.

Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar praised veteran actor Anupam Kher for his portrayal of a Pandit on film,

Hearing absolutely incredible things about your performance in #TheKashmirFiles @AnupamPKher
Amazing to see the audience back to the cinemas in large numbers. Hope to watch the film soon. Jai Ambe. https://t.co/tCKmqh5aJG

— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) March 13, 2022

Paresh Rawal, a prominent actor, stated on Twitter in response to the film,

Jai Ho . https://t.co/FdZza35aBj

— Paresh Rawal (@SirPareshRawal) March 13, 2022

Parineeti Chopra also shared her thoughts on Anupam’s performance, by saying,

Sooo happy for both my favourite people! Good work speaks 😊💕 Congrats team #TheKashmirFiles @AnupamPKher #MithunChakraborthy

— Parineeti Chopra (@ParineetiChopra) March 13, 2022

Senior actor R Madhavan also praised movie and actors’ performances by tweeting,

Hearing such awesome and fantastic reviews of this film from the public. Can’t wait to see it I’m sure @vivekagnihotri has come up with another compelling and hard hitting piece of work.. Congratulations team .👍👍👍❤️❤️🙏🙏. https://t.co/EHPeoVZJ8H

— Ranganathan Madhavan (@ActorMadhavan) March 11, 2022

While it is still too early to forecast the film’s box office performance, various reviewers and internet users have given their opinions on the picture. The film’s IMDb rating reflects this, as the Anupam Kher-starrer has surpassed critically praised films such as Jai Bhim, Titanic, Avatar, and others.

Anupam Kher is presently filming his next film, Uunchai, alongside Boman Irani, Amitabh Bachchan, and others.