The Kashmir Files Review: Hard-Hitting Raw Portrayal Of Plight Of Kashmiri Pandits During Kashmir Insurgency

Directed by: Vivek Agnihotri

Starring: Anupam Kher, Darshan Kumar, Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi, Chinmay Mandlekar, Prakash Belawadi, Puneet Issar.

Duration: 170 minutes

Rating: 4/5

The Kashmir Files follows the story of Pushker Nath Pandit and his family in the early 1990's Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir. Vivek Agnihotri doesn't shy away from presenting the reality of the event without glossing over the atrocity faced by the Kashmiri pandits. This hard-hitting portrayal of Kashmiri pandits shows us the attacks and threats faced by them. The deaths were hardly accounted for, and the state of women who were tortured, kidnapped, and killed.                                                                                               

A chapter in Indian history which is swept under the carpet, and not given the mainstream attention it needs. The story through its course shows the gruesome events which took place in Kashmir and its relevance in the present situation. The plot switches back and forth, moving forward in a nonlinear pattern. It is set in Kashmir and Delhi. The movie doesn't treat the death toll as mere statistics, it dives deep into the lives of people in Kashmir. Vivek Agnihotri presents the sequence of events without trivializing the factual accounts. He introduces each account through a discussion in the current times, drawing a clear parallel of the two points in time. This back and forth builds tension as the characters unravel the mystery. Writers Vivek Agnihotri and Saurabh M Pandey do a splendid job in revealing the character's motivation with its nonlinear structure.

                                                                                                                                                                          

The music by Rohit Sharma and Swapnil Bandodkar channels the emotions of the characters. The sound score of this movie constructs a memory, even for those who didn't live through that event. This memory makes us visit those atrocious times.                                                                                                                               

The performances have elevated the plot to its highest point. Bhasha Sumbli as Sharda Pandit brings her sincerity to the plot from the get-go; the helplessness of her character is communicated without any hindrance. Puneet Issar, Prakash Belawadi, and Atul Srivastava are emotive in the sequences where they are taking tough calls, not a scene in this movie belittles their role in the grand scheme of things. With their characters in the story, we piece every event together.                                                                                      

Some actors have the ability to understand the audience's perception, so they deliver performances keeping that knowledge in mind. Mithun Chakraborty is one such actor who gives audiences the part they wish to see. He has immersed himself in the role, the glances of vulnerability say it all. We experience the urgency in his actions as he takes us through the plot.   

                                                                                                        

Pallavi Joshi is dedicated to her craft and that's reflective of her portrayal in the movie. She executes the story's vision seamlessly. She is in complete control of her voice. She intimidates the role with her presence of mind and complete understanding of her character's motivation and part. She successfully conveys the intended feelings. Prithviraj Sarnaik is expected to capture the innocence amidst the brutality, and he delivers it incredibly right. Prithviraj Sarnaik, as Shiva holds significance in the story, Shiva is someone who should be protected at all costs, Children are represented as the future in motives. The future of Kashmir is in jeopardy, and it's in the hands of Prithviraj Sarnaik to showcase this significance onscreen. He does not disappoint at all.

Mrinal Kulkarni does justice to her character with the material she is given. You know the actor playing the antagonist has done a good job at delivering performances when you feel nothing but animosity whenever he is on screen. Chinmay Mandlekar has done his job right. His character's callousness, barbarity, and viciousness are pictured rightly by Chinmay Mandlekar. He has a compelling performance.                                          

Darshan Kumar is introduced as Krishna Pandit in The Kashmir files. He represents the new generation who are influenced by the narratives set before them. Throughout the movie we see him going back and forth with his motivations, but we can't blame him because that's all the truth he knows. Darshan Kumar is expected to play a character who is controlled by the forces beyond his understanding. He is supposed to be naive and keen to uncover the truth. Darshan Kumar does it exactly like that. We see ourselves in his struggle to get hold of the verity, to grasp every situation without losing himself in the process. The panic when he faces the reality and the uncertainty of the world he has known. Darshan Kumar carries this character with integrity and precision.                                                                                                                                                        

Finally Anupam Kher as Pushkar Nath Pandit, the victim, and witness to the entire event. Words fail me when I try to jot down his performance in the film. Out of all the 2022 releases, Anupam Kher's portrayal as Pushkar Nath Pandit easily tops the list so far. The cruel dance of hope and grief dominates Pushkar Nath Pandit's life. The character is written so well that it stays with us long after the credits roll. Anupam Kher strikes a chord with the viewers. We can't imagine anyone else playing this part with such precision other than Anupam Kher. The defeat in his eyes is visible as the lump in his throat whenever he talks about the events. Anupam Kher's performance keeps reminding us what a fine actor he is and how capable his acting chops are.                        

The movie at no point came off as propaganda; it pays tribute to the brave hearts and pays respect to the ones who lost their lives. The distinctive quality of this movie is the raw portrayal of the events without the need to glamorize them. Grief is what happens when all hope is lost, this theme is intended at its core. The fight for justice which is a never-ending battle and the empty promises that fail the people who live with trauma are the key themes of this movie.                                                                                                            

My only problem with the movie was its abrupt editing. There are a few sequences shot in the movie that are jarring to watch. While some are abruptly transitioned. But because the art of storytelling is phenomenal in this movie, it compensates for the qualms.

This movie is a must-watch for its vision and skill. A lot of research has gone through to make this move happen. In fact, a deep rooted research that in all its guts and bravery bring forth the soul crying history. The effort hasn't gone waste. Pallavi Joshi and Vivek Agnihotri bring forward a good addition to Indian cinema. The Kashmir File is not just another movie, it is an unfiltered account of the history that none of the filmmakers did justice to till date. Hats off to Vivek Agnihotri for this fearless film, a film that will transport you to that atrocious event and make you feel the pain of our very own people in the valley, the Kashmiri Pandits felt and have been living with since then.