Pallavi Joshi on criticisms over The Kashmir Files’ Oscar bid: It’s fine to have differing opinions, but…

The Kashmir Files turned out to be one of the biggest surprises in Bollywood this year. Being made on a budget less than Rs 20 crores, the film had gone on to rake in Rs 300 crores at the box office and is a contender among India’s entries to the Academy Awards this year. But the film’s inclusion among India’s Oscar entries did not please everyone. Pallavi Joshi, who produced and starred in the film, recently opened up about the criticisms levied against the film’s bid for the Oscars.

In conversation with Hindustan Times, Joshi spoke of the long and arduous journey in getting the film onto screens. She said that after spending four years in getting the film made, she considered it as ‘her baby’. Saying that she was very ‘possessive’ about the film, the actor-producer said she felt very pleased when she found out that her film had a shot at being nominated for an Oscar.

Speaking of how the film made a ‘political statement’, Joshi said that the people who did not agree with the politics in the film were bound to oppose it, which she said she was fine with. “But an award is about cinematic merit, its cinematic excellence and flaws. Judge the film accordingly. But do so only on its cinematic merit. That is my only request. Don’t bring in any other thing there”, she added.

Joshi said she would be ‘ecstatic’ and ‘over the moon’ if The Kashmir Files received an Oscar nod. But if it didn’t, she would take it in her stride as well. The actor-filmmaker said that she was very well aware that a number of good films have been made this year and that she was thrilled to have a little competition come her way too.

The Kashmir Files is available for streaming on ZEE5.