The Srinagar born Producer, Director & Writer of Shikara, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, returned to direction, after a hiatus, with the much-anticipated movie titled Shikara. The tagline of the movie that read “The Untold Story of Kashmiri Pandits” automatically translating to the depiction of the plight, the tragedy and the atrocities unleashed on the aboriginal and peaceful Kashmiri Hindu community during their 7th exodus in 1990. Alas! It has been a complete let down as the story pivots on the love story of a young couple instead and has nothing much to offer about our genocide.

India 4 Kashmir rejects the movie “Shikara” in its entirety and terms it a malicious attempt to whitewash the crimes of the “Genocide of Kashmiri Pandits” by their perpetrators.

The community feels completely betrayed and trespassed yet again by the dilution and taken-for-granted attitude of the makers of this movie. Shikara, in no way, represents the truth or the true picture of unspeakable brutalities inflicted on the Hindus of Kashmir during the turbulent times of the exodus.

The title changed at the time of the release shows how a one sided Hate story for Hindus was given a secular Love story angle

On 19 January 2020, the Kashmiri Hindu community marked its 30th year in Exile, living in homelessness for over 3 decades. The peaceful Kashmiri Hindu community was violently forced out of their homes and homeland by the gun wielding terrorists in connivance and support of the majority Muslims in Kashmir. None of this has been accurately represented in the movie. Who can forget the intimidating slogans shouted by the frenzy mob baying for our blood? All this has been watered down very smartly in the movie and the blame conveniently shifted on the administration.

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India 4 Kashmir calls out the blatant hypocrisy and outright dishonesty of the makers, particularly for their claims about the movie being the “Untold Story of Kashmiri Pandits.”

The dreadful memories of January 19, 1990 are deeply etched in our minds. On this night, the horrors and helplessness of the Kashmiri Hindu community came true when over five lakh Kashmiri Hindus were uprooted from their homes. Overnight, the valley turned sombre as the Hindus left behind their land thanks to the systematic and organised barbaric campaigns emanating from the mosques across Kashmir. The war cries unleashed by the terrorists were supported by the locals.

The circumstances that led to forceful eviction of the entire minority of Kashmiri Hindus from their homeland is a genocide and this fact has been outrageously ignored. Instead, our killers and the Kashmiri Muslims, who were hand in gloves with the criminals, have been showcased in good light.

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This movie has once again scraped the wounds of the peaceful community. Unfortunately, the makers including Chopra have taken the community for a ride yet again for the reasons best known to them.

We feel disappointed yet again by the “opportunity lost,” which could otherwise have exhibited the truth about the Genocide of a culture and a Civilization. Alas! The reality about the peaceful community has succumbed and fallen prey to the mean mentality of “money making business,” where truth is the ultimate casualty!

Review & reaction on the Shikara movie from the Audience

We reiterate and urge our fellow Indians and global Hindu community to not take this movie as the serious and honest work on the depiction of the Exodus of Kashmiri Hindus from the valley. It is deceptive and heart-breaking for every Kashmiri Hindu who hasn’t yet come to terms with the mass murder and exodus leading to us being uprooted from our motherland.

Our Nari Shakti protesting & calling out Vidhu Vinod Chopra at the screening

#KPsDisownShikara in its entirety and we condemn the commercial extravaganza of the makers on the dead bodies of hapless Hindus who were subjected to Genocide in 1990.

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I4K Staff

India 4 Kashmir is a Pan-India movement to reclaim our lost ground and rehabilitate common Indians in Kashmir with dignity and honour.