Supreme Court Advocate Writes A Must Read Note On ‘The Kashmir Files’

The Kashmir Files by Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri has surprised a lot of people. The video depicts the departure of Kashmiri Pandits in 1990 in a harsh manner. The film has once again awakened the discourse on what happened in Kashmir, with stunning graphics that may give one chill and horrific accounts from people. The film has sparked a lot of discussion on the internet. Many people feel the video is a half-truth, while others believe it is a genocide.

The film “The Kashmir Files” is focused on the genocide of Kashmiri Hindus by extremist Islamists in Kashmir in 1990 and the subsequent migration of Kashmiri Hindus. Anupam Kher, Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi, Darshan Kumar, Chinmay Mandlekar, and Mrinal Kulkarni play key roles in the film.

Vivek Agnihotri directed The Kashmir Files, which was released on March 11, 2022. This Hindi-language film has a running time of 2 hours and 50 minutes.

Many people were against the film before it was released. Following the release of the film’s trailer on YouTube, a petition was filed at the Bombay high court. The petition asked for a ban on the film’s distribution, claiming that it might damage Muslims’ feelings in the country.

The Bombay high court dismissed the plea, allowing the film ‘The Kashmir Files’ to be released.

J Sai Deepak, a Supreme Court advocate, also hailed filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri for The Kashmir Files and asked his fans to embrace the film entirely by tweeting a series of tweets in support of the movie.

He also mentioned in a tweet that this thread was promised thread and that he read lots of books and sources to understand which kind of situation Kashmiri Pandits went from. He wrote,

1. This is my promised thread on @vivekagnihotri ji’s #TheKashmirFiles. Before & after d amendments to Article 370,I did a fair bit of reading on Kashmir including documents on the portal iKashmir, and books by Shri Jagmohan and @rahulpandita. So in that sense I “knew”.

— Sai Deepak J (@jsaideepak) March 12, 2022

He added,

2. But nothing, I repeat nothing, could have prepared me for the visceral impact of #TheKashmirFiles. As a hardcore movie buff, if there is a movie in my memory that captures d sheer power of d cinematic medium to give expression to facts, it has to be #TheKashmirFiles.

— Sai Deepak J (@jsaideepak) March 12, 2022

J Sai Deepak stated that the film’s creators were confident in their research and avoided putting up ‘escapist’ and ‘evasive’ warnings from the beginning. He said,

3. The confidence of the makers of this movie is evident right from the word go. As opposed to the usual escapist and evasive disclaimers, this movie’s disclaimer does not distance the makers from the movie. Instead,they own upto it.That shows how their faith in their research.

— Sai Deepak J (@jsaideepak) March 12, 2022

He also added,

4. The use of Kashmir’s cold to convey a constant sense of foreboding showcases d maker’s brilliance.The movie’s impact wuda been incomplete & not as effective without d background score of Rohit Sharma.Clearly,everyone associated with the project understood their responsibility.

— Sai Deepak J (@jsaideepak) March 12, 2022

After this, the non-linear manner of film narration used by filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri for ‘The Kashmir Files’ was praised by the Supreme Court advocate. He emphasised that the tale alternated between past and present, which he said was successful in highlighting the genocide perpetrated on Kashmiri Hindu Pandits. He said,

5. Coming to the structure of d movie,@vivekagnihotri ji’s decision to opt for a non-linear style of narration where d story movies constantly between the past & the present couldn’t have been more effective to showcase the *continuing* nature of the genocide through its denial.

— Sai Deepak J (@jsaideepak) March 12, 2022

He then added,

6.The way d movie brings together Kashmir,student politics,education,Marxist negation of documented facts & its extra-warm relations wid Islamists is a testament to the work @vivekagnihotri has put in over d years. In that sense,this movie is culmination of his previous efforts.

— Sai Deepak J (@jsaideepak) March 12, 2022

J Sai Deepak went on to explain how each character in ‘The Kashmir Files’ represented a generation of Kashmiris and their perspectives. He wrote,

7. Now to the characters. Every character represents a certain generation of Kashmir and their respective vantage points. Effectively three generations have been captured in the movie, telling us that three generations of Kashmiri Pandits have suffered in *independent* Bharat.

— Sai Deepak J (@jsaideepak) March 12, 2022

The Supreme Court lawyer also emphasised the need of remembering history and reinforcing it on a regular basis in order to guarantee that victims’ lived experiences are not disregarded in society. He said,

8.The absolute need for memorialisation of history is brilliantly captured in d scenes between @AnupamPKher & his grandson played by @DarshanKumaar.Failure to memorialise leads to movement away from d roots & *denial* of d lived experience,reinforcing d importance of history edu.

— Sai Deepak J (@jsaideepak) March 12, 2022

He also remarked on the naming of characters. He said,

9. The naming of the characters, from Pushkar Nath Pandit to Sharda Pandit to Bitta and Radhika Menon, and the use of these fused characters to represent multiple real personalities is a testament to Team @vivekagnihotri‘s deep emotional and intellectual investment in the movie.

— Sai Deepak J (@jsaideepak) March 12, 2022

He then added,

10.The movie is not a mere collage of known events. Even that wuda been an achievement given d current state of Bollywood.But d movie goes much beyond that & invests in multiple layers in every scene,from faith to loss of home to hope to realisation of apathy & finally d denial.

— Sai Deepak J (@jsaideepak) March 12, 2022

He went on to say,

11. The only way @vivekagnihotri cuda given effect to his vision was through a cast that lived the characters of the movie with the knowledge that this was history being depicted. I think everyone who was part of this movie consciously embraced the trauma and chose to channel it.

— Sai Deepak J (@jsaideepak) March 12, 2022

The actors of ‘The Kashmir Files’ wowed the Supreme Court lawyer. He said about this,

12. If watching d movie has such a deep impact, I can’t begin to imagine what making it & playing d characters wuda done to those involved. Either they have allowed the experience to do its job whatever the consequence, or they would have had to practice detached attachment.

— Sai Deepak J (@jsaideepak) March 12, 2022

Despite years of preparation, J Sai Deepak admitted that he couldn’t control his emotions after viewing the video. He said,

13.There were portions of d movie to which my entire being reacted despite all d training I have put myself thru over d years to restrain & hold back my emotions as a person & as a lawyer.Some dear friends have often called me a *robot*,but this movie shattered d robotic barrier.

— Sai Deepak J (@jsaideepak) March 12, 2022

He added,

14. This movie is as real and as authentic as it gets & I think deep gratitude are in order for d super talented cast of the movie. On this front, one *has* to start with @AnupamPKher ji. Sir, please accept my pranams and dhanyawaad for being, not playing, Pushkar Nath Pandit.

— Sai Deepak J (@jsaideepak) March 12, 2022

He was also awestruck by Bollywood actor Anupam Kher’s portrayal of ‘Pushkar Nath Pandit’. J Sai Deepak was convinced by the renowned actor’s ‘realistic’ portrayal in the film. He said,

15.This *has* to count as @AnupamPKher ji’s finest work ever.Even if he manages to do a better job in any other movie,which I doubt is possible,nothing is ever going to come close to this role.He was born for this role. It seems as if his life journey prepared him for this role.

— Sai Deepak J (@jsaideepak) March 12, 2022

He continued,

16.For once,I don’t have d words to capture @AnupamPKher ji’s performance except to say tht his character spoke to me like an elder from my own family.He has channeled his heritage & d pain of his ppl,*our ppl*,thru this performance. To me,his Karmic account has been settled.

— Sai Deepak J (@jsaideepak) March 12, 2022

In response to actress Bhasha Sumbli’s performance, he tweeted,

17. Next is the performance by @bhashasumbli ji. Aptly named *Sharda* in the movie, she represents not just d trauma suffered by d women of d Kashmiri Pandit community, but d genocide of all that Sharda stands for – spirituality,knowledge,family,language, script- Civilisation.

— Sai Deepak J (@jsaideepak) March 12, 2022

Deepak J Sai went on to highlight her character’s efforts and struggles from the movie. He said,

18. From being forced to eat rice soaked in d blood of her husband to the prescient passing image of the *saw mill* when she drops her son Shiva at the school, you know all thru the movie what she is going to be put thru & U brace yourself for it.And even that doesn’t prepare U.

— Sai Deepak J (@jsaideepak) March 12, 2022

He added,

19. The literal and metaphorical vivisection of a society that worships Ma Sharda couldn’t have been depicted better and it stays with you. It stays as it must. Take a bow @bhashasumbli ji 🙏🏾

— Sai Deepak J (@jsaideepak) March 12, 2022

For praising Mithun Chakraborty’s stunning performance, he tweeted,

20. @mithunda_off da’s understated performance as a helpless bureaucrat who tries, in vain, to warn the apathetic dispensation at the Centre and the genocidal dispensation in the State showcases his depth as a performer. Truly this actor is giving his best in his second innings.

— Sai Deepak J (@jsaideepak) March 12, 2022

He added,

21. Apart from *mainstream* commercial cinema, I have watched @mithunda_off‘s performance as Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and as the Goenka-esque editor in Guru. But his role as Brahma Dutt in #TheKashmirFiles is truly a stand out performance.

— Sai Deepak J (@jsaideepak) March 12, 2022

For Pallavi Joshi’s performance as professor Radhika Menon, he said,

22. Pallavi Joshi’s performance as Prof. Radhika Menon is an amalgamation of multiple usual suspects from the Marxist establishment.The performance was so effective that most people found it difficult to unsee d vile Radhika Menon after d special screening. What more can one say!

— Sai Deepak J (@jsaideepak) March 12, 2022

He also applauded Darshan Kumar’s acting skills in this movie by saying,

23. @DarshanKumaar‘s speech at d Delhi-based Marxist college campus captures his transformation from denial to acceptance of d truth & his decision to become its vocal ambassador.That speech is his standout moment. May his role inspire real-life transformations on campuses!

— Sai Deepak J (@jsaideepak) March 12, 2022

He also mentions Chinmay Mandlekar’s realistic characterization as Bitta. He said,

24. Chinmay Mandlekar delivers a chilling performance as Bitta. From being a ruthless terrorist to the *Kashmiri Gandhi* who wants peace and justice, Mandlekar does complete justice to the reptilian nature of this character.

— Sai Deepak J (@jsaideepak) March 12, 2022

He also pointed out the efforts of other supporting roles by saying,

25. As for the rest of the cast, Puneet Issar, Prakash Belawadi and others provide the perfect supporting foil through their representation of the role of the State establishment and media during the *genocide*, not exodus, of Kashmiri Pandits.

— Sai Deepak J (@jsaideepak) March 12, 2022

Sai Deepak J further mentions the abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir. He added,

26. What’s poignant throughout the movie is that d characters keep chanting Om Namah Shivay, even when their end is near. The punarsthapana of the Shiva Linga by the third generation of Pandits after the amendment to Article 370 represents Civilisational hope and resurgence.

— Sai Deepak J (@jsaideepak) March 12, 2022

He also mentions the performance of the movie on the box office and its reviews across the sections of the country. He said,

27. Going by the reactions to the movie from movie goers across the country, the movie has stupendously done what it presumably intended to- Inform Bharat of the Kashmiri Pandit experience and awaken it to its implications for the rest of the Bharatiya Civilisation.

— Sai Deepak J (@jsaideepak) March 12, 2022

He then added,

28. The makers of the movie have done their job putting their reputations, careers and lives on the line. It is now for us to do ours and vocally support this movie and similar efforts.Resist efforts to blockade this movie. We have a right to know d truth and this is inalienable.

— Sai Deepak J (@jsaideepak) March 12, 2022

Finally, he stated,

29. This generation finally has the good fortune of seeing this Civilisation’s history being captured on the big screen by gutsy and brilliant film makers such as @vivekagnihotri. It’s time to push the Overton Window further in favour of Dharma and Desha.

— Sai Deepak J (@jsaideepak) March 12, 2022

He concluded by saying,

30. If you believe that you don’t have the guts to watch this movie,effectively you have lost the right to opine on this Civilisation.If you can’t even watch,you can’t be expected to stand up for the Civilisation when the time comes. So grow a spine, watch, internalise & channel.

— Sai Deepak J (@jsaideepak) March 12, 2022

In the ending, he added,

31. Kashmiri Pandits deserve to have our attention, finally. This was long due. We owe it to them and the land of Rishi Kashyapa, Adi Shankara and all our spiritual giants and heroes to watch this movie and spread the word.Let this movie start discussions,conversations & debates.

— Sai Deepak J (@jsaideepak) March 12, 2022

At last, over and out,

32. To quote my friend @UnSubtleDesi, if at all there was any flagging of focus and commitment to the cause of this Civilisation, this movie has served as the perfect “top-up” for me at the right time. Thank you Team @vivekagnihotri. Om Namah Shivay. Vande Mataram. Over and out.

— Sai Deepak J (@jsaideepak) March 12, 2022

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