Pallavi Joshi Wants Everyone To Hate Her Character In The Kashmir Files, Whom Is She Playing?

The Kashmir Files has been dominating the social media feeds since its release. The film directed by Vivek Agnihotri is about the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits during the separatist militant insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir against the Indian administration. Actors such as Anupam Kher, Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi, Darshan Kumar and others are part of the film's cast. The film has received varied responses from staunch criticisms or glowing praises.

While doing interviews for the film promotion, Pallavi Joshi, who is also the producer of the film, was asked about her character in the film. The actor said that she chose to play the character of Radhika Menon. The character is a professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University where she instigates students to fight for 'Azad Kashmir'. Pallavi Joshi revealed the reason behind choosing the character.

She said, "When I was talking to the Kashmiri Pandits about their trauma, I could sense the villain they were staring at. I made up my mind to do the character and play the role so vehemently that every Indian should hate the character."

Pallavi Joshi Character The Kashmir Files

As per reports, the character of Radhika Menon is said to be based on Booker-prize winning author Arundhati Roy. The character is heard saying in the film, "Kashmir has never been an integral part of India and this is a historical fact. Agar India Britain se apni Independence ke liye lad sakti hai toh Kashmir kyun nahi (If India can fight the British Raj for independence, then why not Kashmir)?" The media present at the press conference asked The Kashmir Files' team if the character defames the Jawaharlal Nehru University. The director Vivek Agnihotri stepped up to answer and said, "Research and Google, and you will get the answers."

The film has been doing well on the Box Office while sparking debates on social media. Pallavi Joshi had revealed in her press outings that the makers of the team had fatwa issued in their name when they were shooting the film. The Kashmir Files also had its fair share of legal troubles.

Suggested Reading: As The Kashmir Files Gets Acclaim, Here Are Other Notable Films Of Pallavi Joshi

In Bombay High Court, a public interest litigation was filed by a resident from Uttar Pradesh who sought a stay on the release of the film. The petitioner argued that the film gives one sided view of Muslims killing Kashmiri Pandits and this may trigger violence against Muslims. The plea was reportedly rejected on technical grounds. Another plea seeking a stay on the film's release was filed by a widow of an army officer who died during the Kashmir Insurgency. She argued that the film shows has inaccurate depiction of some events showing her husband. The court directed the makers to remove certain scenes from the film.