‘I accept many feel The Kashmir Files is brilliant’: Nadav Lapid

Nadav Lapid sticks by what he said about The Kashmir Files at the IFFI 2022 closing ceremony.

Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid has maintains that ‘no one can determine what is propaganda’. He still sticks by what he said about the film at the closing ceremony of International Film Festival of India on Monday, sparking major controversy.

Nadav Lapid has been in headlines due to his comment on The Kashmir Files. (REUTERS)

Nadav Lapid, who headed the jury at the government-organised film festival in Goa, said The Kashmir Files was a "propaganda movie" that had no place at a film festival, drawing a wave of criticism from people associated with the film, politicians and general public on social media.

Now, speaking to India today, he said about his comments, "No one can determine what is propaganda, one might think that Schindler's List is a propaganda film. I completely respect and accept this fact that many people loved this movie or feel it’s a brilliant movie. As well as I respect the fact people think terrible things about my movies. What I have done it’s my duty to say what I see. it’s a very subjective way," he told IndiaToday. He said that the furore over his comments is ‘cheap manipulation in order to incite people.’ He also added that other jury members felt the same way, but didn't speak openly.

Vivek reacted to Nadav's comments and said, “I challenge the world's intellectuals and 'urban Naxals' as well as the great filmmaker who came from Israel if they can prove that any shot, dialogue or event of 'The Kashmir Files' is not absolute truth, I'll stop making films. I'm not someone who will back down. Issue as many fatwas as you want, but I'll keep fighting,.”

Naor Gilon, Israel's ambassador to India, Sri Lanka and Bhutan, apologised on Twitter for Nadav's comments. "As a human being I feel ashamed and want to apologise to our hosts for the bad manner in which we repaid them for their generosity and friendship," he said.