Director Vivek Agnihotri is gearing up for the release of ‘The Kashmir Files’. His last project ‘The Tashkent Files’ was a sleeper success and is still one of the most important films based on historic events.
Vivek is an independent filmmaker who says that he is short on a marketing budget since his films aren’t backed by big banners. He said during a press conference, “People complain that I talk too much. The thing is that nobody talks about your work until you throw money. And therefore, I have to come forward and speak about myself and my work. The day media starts writing about my work like they do the coverage of Bollywood stars, I will stop talking.”
He added, “We haven’t marketed ‘The Kashmiri Files’. The film was completed and then Covid hit the world. Cinema halls were open in America and therefore, we showed the film in that country. You won’t believe that 36 organisations came forward to promote the film. We witnessed jam-packed shows in 16 cities of America. There were stampedes outside of cinema halls. I have shared videos on social media. And all this happened, when we didn’t advertise this film at all. Even the media didn’t talk about this film at all.”
Vivek Agnihotri said, “After the screening of the film in Washington DC, I and Pallavi Joshi were invited to Capitol Hill and were given Congressional reception. It happened for the first time in World cinema that the filmmakers have received this honour. Democrat Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, who is associated with the Free Kashmir Campaign, saw the film and said, ‘This is the first time I have realised about this pain and I must admit that Kashmiri Pandit community in America are the most successful community.’ Senator Mike Warner was full of praises of our film.”
“Your chest will swell in pride after knowing how common men came forward to promote the film. After watching the film, people collected money and on 26th Jan they advertised the film on the world’s most prestigious and expensive website. On this website, Pakistan had put the poster of ‘Free Kashmir’ once. And people collected money to buy that ad space and put up the full map of Kashmir with the title of ‘The Kashmir Files’ for 2 days. It has never happened before in world history. Imagine the kind of impact. Because America is always reluctant to share the full map of Kashmir. Even the people of Kashmir haven’t seen the full map of Kashmir.,” he revealed.
‘The Kashmir Files’ is based on the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from Kashmir valley in the year 1990. Starring Anupam Kher and Mithun Chakraborty, the film will hit Indian cinema halls on 11th March.
Must Watch: Anupam Kher Cries While Talking About Film ‘The Kashmir Files’