Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj has disclosed that he refrained from watching “The Kashmir Files” and “The Kerala Story” as he preferred to avoid getting involved in ‘sensitive subjects’. In an interview with the news agency PTI, Vishal also urged his fellow filmmakers to handle stories inspired by real-life tragic events with sensitivity.
Vishal shared with PTI, “I didn’t see ‘The Kashmir Files’ and ‘The Kerala Story,’ and I didn’t watch them intentionally. I had been hearing things about these films, and I didn’t want to be influenced by them. I had heard from my friends and acquaintances that they might be propaganda films… So, I made a conscious choice to stay away because, to me, it is a highly sensitive topic. If there’s a lot of negativity surrounding it, I prefer to distance myself from that negativity. I cherish my peace, so I chose not to watch them.”
He further emphasized, “I hope that my fellow filmmakers approach such stories with sensitivity and avoid using them as propaganda tools. Cinema is a medium that can be wielded in multiple ways. If people are embracing and watching such content, then we should acknowledge that society is evolving. We are witnessing changes as a society.”
About “The Kashmir Files”: Both “The Kashmir Files” (2022) and “The Kerala Story” (2023) achieved significant commercial success while also sparking political controversies. “The Kashmir Files” was directed by Vivek Agnihotri and featured notable actors like Anupam Kher, Darshan Kumaar, Mithun Chakraborty, and Pallavi Joshi. The film portrayed the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the valley in the 1990s.
About “The Kerala Story”: “The Kerala Story” was helmed by Sudipto Sen and focused on the alleged brainwashing of numerous young women in Kerala who joined the Islamic State (IS). The film starred Adah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, Sonia Balani, and Siddhi Idnani.
Vishal’s Upcoming Project: Fans can look forward to Vishal’s highly anticipated web series titled “Charlie Chopra and the Mystery of Solang Valley,” set to premiere on SonyLIV from September 27. The series boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Vivaan Shah, Imaad Shah, Priyanshu Painyuli, Chandan Roy Sanyal, and Paoli Dam. It is produced by Vishal Bhardwaj Pictures in collaboration with Priti Shahani’s Tusk Tale Films and in association with Agatha Christie Limited.
