Common Sense Media Review
By Ishmeet Nagpal
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Gory and violent Indian drama adds to communal tensions.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Kashmir Files
What's the Story?
In THE KASHMIR FILES, displaced Kashmiri Pandit college student Krishna Pandit (Darshan Kumar) goes back to Kashmir to learn the truth about the death of his family members. While there, his late grandfather's friends present the gory details to him. Krishna returns to college a changed man determined to preach his truth.
Is It Any Good?
This controversial drama has been effective in stoking nationalist sentiment and communal divisions in India. The Kashmir Files mixes a tiny sprinkle of real-life names and historical incidents that has given the film far more credibility in the eyes of some than it deserves. It could perhaps best be described as a well-made propaganda movie. Endorsed by the Indian government and leaders, the film has led to people accepting conspiracy theories as fact and casteist notions of the superiority of Brahminical lineage, as well as a slew of copycat biased and misleading movies. It's also incredibly violent -- the scene where a woman is cut in half is particularly disturbing. Viewers are advised to read up on the facts of Kashmir's history and to fact-check all the claims made within the film.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in The Kashmir Files. Did the violent scenes help tell the story in an effective way? Were there repercussions for those responsible for the violence? Why does that matter? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
The film has been described by many as a form of propaganda. What do you understand this term to mean? How has it been used historically? What can be done to counter propaganda?
Many people dispute the claims made in the film. Why is it important to fact-check things, especially when they can be so divisive? How do you determine whether something is true or not?
Has this film encouraged you to learn more about the Kashmiri Pandits?
Movie Details
- In theaters : March 11, 2022
- Cast : Anupam Kher , Pallavi Joshi , Mithun Chakraborty
- Director : Vivek Agnihotri
- Inclusion Information : Indian/South Asian Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Indian/South Asian Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Zee Studios
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 170 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : August 15, 2023
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