The Kashmir Files: Difference between revisions

| runtime        = 170 minutes<ref name="BBFC">{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/the-kashmir-files-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdazmtuw |title=The Kashmir Files |date=9 March 2022 |publisher=[[British Board of Film Classification]] |access-date=9 March 2022 |archive-date=9 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309182020/https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/the-kashmir-files-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdazmtuw |url-status=live }}</ref>

| budget        = {{INR|15-25 crore}}<ref name="DNA budget">{{cite web | url=https://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/report-the-kashmir-file-vivek-agnihotri-film-becomes-first-hindi-movie-to-cross-rs-250-crore-post-pandemic-covid-19-2945589 | title=Vivek Agnihotri's the Kashmir Files becomes first Hindi movie to cross Rs 250 crore post-pandemic | access-date=30 May 2022 | archive-date=30 May 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530151952/https://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/report-the-kashmir-file-vivek-agnihotri-film-becomes-first-hindi-movie-to-cross-rs-250-crore-post-pandemic-covid-19-2945589 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="GQ budget">{{cite news |last1=Saeed |first1=Umaima |title=The Kashmir Files: Here's how many crores the movie made in 10 days |url=https://www.gqindia.com/entertainment/content/the-kashmir-files-heres-how-many-crores-the-movie-has-made-in-10-days |work=GQ India |date=21 March 2022 |access-date=31 May 2022 |archive-date=30 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530121938/https://www.gqindia.com/entertainment/content/the-kashmir-files-heres-how-many-crores-the-movie-has-made-in-10-days |url-status=live }}</ref>

'''''The Kashmir Files''''' is a 2022 Indian Hindi-language [[drama film]]<ref name=BBFC /> written and directed by [[Vivek Agnihotri]].<ref name="Bollywood Hungama 8 Feb">{{Cite news |last=Seta |first=Fenil |date=8 February 2022 |title=Vivek Agnihotri's The Kashmir Files to Clash with Prabhas-starrer Radhe Shyam on March 11 |website=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/vivek-agnihotris-kashmir-files-clash-prabhas-starrer-radhe-shyam-march-11/ |access-date=11 March 2022 |archive-date=18 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318152614/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/vivek-agnihotris-kashmir-files-clash-prabhas-starrer-radhe-shyam-march-11/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The film presents a fictional storyline<ref name="BBC">{{Cite news |last=Sebastian |first=Meryl |date=15 March 2022 |title=Kashmir Files Vivek Agnihotri's film exposes India's new fault lines |newspaper=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-60732939 |access-date=27 April 2022 |archive-date=27 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220427045135/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-60732939 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Al Jazeera">{{Cite web |date=2022-03-17 |title=Kashmir Files, hailed by Modi, triggers anti-Muslim hate speech |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/17/kashmir-files-film-modi-anti-muslim-hate-speech |access-date=2022-03-23 |website=Al Jazeera |archive-date=22 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322125423/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/17/kashmir-files-film-modi-anti-muslim-hate-speech |url-status=live }}</ref>{{efn|The opening credits of the film carry the disclaimer: "This film... does not claim accurateness or factuality of historic events".<ref name="Kak">{{citation |first=Sanjay |last=Kak |author-link=Sanjay Kak |title=The dangerous 'truth' of The Kashmir Files |newspaper=Al Jazeera |date=13 April 2022 |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2022/4/13/the-dangerous-truth-of-the-kashmiri-files |access-date=3 May 2022 |archive-date=3 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503094330/https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2022/4/13/the-dangerous-truth-of-the-kashmiri-files |url-status=live }}</ref>}} centred around the [[Exodus of Kashmiri Hindus|1990s exodus of Kashmiri Hindus]] from Indian-administered [[Kashmir Valley|Kashmir]].<ref name=britannica-jammu-kashmir>{{citation|last1=Akhtar|first1=Rais|last2=Kirk|first2=William|title=Jammu and Kashmir, State, India|publisher=Encyclopaedia Britannica|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Jammu-and-Kashmir|access-date=7 August 2019|quote=Jammu and Kashmir, state of India, located in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent in the vicinity of the Karakoram and westernmost Himalayan mountain ranges. The state is part of the larger region of Kashmir, which has been the subject of dispute between India, Pakistan, and China since the partition of the subcontinent in 1947.|archive-date=20 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820091609/https://www.britannica.com/place/Jammu-and-Kashmir|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Jan·Osmańczyk2003">{{citation |last1=Jan·Osmaczyk |first1=Edmund |title=Encyclopedia of the United Nations and International Agreements: G to M |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fSIMXHMdfkkC&pg=PA1191 |page=1191 |year=2003 |editor-last=Mango |editor-first=Anthony |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-0-415-93922-5 |quote=Jammu and Kashmir: Territory in northwestern India, subject to a dispute between India and Pakistan.  It has borders with Pakistan and China. |access-date=2 April 2022 |archive-date=17 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117140437/https://books.google.com/books?id=fSIMXHMdfkkC&pg=PA1191 |url-status=live }}</ref> It depicts the exodus and the events leading up to it{{refn|The exodus followed the rise of violence in an [[insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir]]}} as a [[genocide]],<ref name="Shilajit Mitra"/><ref name="Anuj Kumar"/><ref name="Asim Ali"/><ref name="Ipsita Chakravarty"/><ref>Sherjeel Malik, [https://kashmirdigits.com/the-kashmir-files-a-one-sided-narrative-that-spews-hatred-and-misinformation/ The Kashmir Files: A One Sided Narrative That Spews Hatred And Misinformation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320174105/https://kashmirdigits.com/the-kashmir-files-a-one-sided-narrative-that-spews-hatred-and-misinformation/ |date=20 March 2022 }}, Kashmir Digits, 12 March 2022.</ref> a notion that is widely considered inaccurate by scholars.<ref name="conspiracy-aggression-propaganda">*{{Cite journal |last=Evans |first=Alexander |date=2002-03-01 |title=A departure from history: Kashmiri Pandits, 1990-2001 |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/0958493022000000341 |journal=Contemporary South Asia |volume=11 |issue=1 |pages=19–37 |doi=10.1080/0958493022000000341 |issn=0958-4935 |quote="My own interviews with a number of KPs in Jammu, many of whom hold Pakistan responsible, suggest suspicions of ethnic cleansing or even genocide are wide of the mark. The two conspiracy theories already described are not evidence based. As Sumantra Bose observes, those Rashtriya Swayam Sevak publications’ claims that large numbers of Hindu shrines were destroyed and Pandits murdered are largely false, to the extent that many of the shrines remain untouched and many of the casualties remain unsubstantiated." |s2cid=145573161 }}

*{{citation |last=Rai |first=Mridu |title=Kashmir and the Future of South Asia |pages=91&ndash;115, 106 |year=2021 |editor1-last=Bose |editor1-first=Sugata |series=Routledge Contemporary South Asia Series |chapter=Narratives from exile: Kashmiri Pandits and their construction of the past |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K20LEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA91 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781000318845 |quote=Among those who stayed on is Sanjay Tickoo who heads the Kashmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti (Committee for the Kashmiri Pandits’ Struggle). He had experienced the same threats as the Pandits who left. Yet, though admitting ‘intimidation and violence’ directed at Pandits and four massacres since 1990, he rejects as ‘propaganda’ stories of genocide or mass murder that Pandit organizations outside the Valley have circulated. |author-link=Mridu Rai |editor2-last=Jalal |editor2-first=Ayesha |access-date=4 April 2022 |archive-date=14 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314152555/https://books.google.com/books?id=K20LEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA91 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite interview |last=Rai |first=Mridu |subject-link=Mridu Rai |interviewer=Azad Essa |title=Kashmir: The Pandit question |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2011/8/1/kashmir-the-pandit-question |publisher=[[Al Jazeera]] |date=1 August 2011 |quote=[T]here is agreement at least that the number has to be a substantial proportion of the total population of the group. And here the numbers of Kashmiri Pandit killings do not technically support the use of the label of genocide. There are [also] several other factors, beyond the question of numbers, according to which the Pandits cannot be considered to be the victims of genocide.{{pb}}For one, they were not the sole victims of targeted killings in Kashmir since 1990.{{pb}}Kashmiri Muslims who dissented from the ideologies of various militant groups have also been systematically liquidated in the way in which Pandits had been. This does not conform to the accepted definition of genocide that is waged against a group defined collectively as the ‘other’, since Pandit claims of genocide rests on their being targeted for their religious identity.{{pb}}Secondly, genocide is preceded and accompanied by the dehumanisation of its victims. There is no evidence of such denial of humanity of the Pandits having taken place among the Kashmiri Muslims accused of perpetrating their mass destruction.{{pb}}And finally genocides are extremely well-organised acts involving the training of armed groups, indoctrinated fully into an ideological inflexibility so severe that it can override wider social opinion and consensus.{{pb}}There is no evidence of this having been the case in the valley. |access-date=29 June 2022 |archive-date=11 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511051421/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2011/8/1/kashmir-the-pandit-question |url-status=live }}</ref> The film claims that such facts were suppressed by a [[Conspiracy of silence (expression)|conspiracy of silence]].<ref name="Roy Chudhury truth">{{Cite magazine |last=Roy Chowdhury |first=Debasish |date=2022-03-30 |title=Column: How One Film Marks India's Descent Into Darkness |url=https://time.com/6162035/kashmir-files-india-hindu-muslim/ |magazine=TIME |quote=The “truth” that the film claims to reveal is that there was a “genocide” of Pandits in the 1990s, hidden by a callous ruling establishment and a servile media. Pandits were killed in their thousands, it claims, and not in the low hundreds as the government and Kashmiri Pandit organizations have stated. |access-date=3 April 2022 |archive-date=3 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403201139/https://time.com/6162035/kashmir-files-india-hindu-muslim/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{citation |last=Kumar |first=Anuj |title='The Kashmir Files' movie review: A disturbing take which grips and gripes in turns |date=14 March 2022 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/the-kashmir-files-movie-review-a-disturbing-take-which-grips-and-gripes-in-turns/article65223787.ece |newspaper=The Hindu |quote=The film is based on the testimonies of the people scarred for generations by the insurgency in the State, and presents the tragic exodus as a full-scale genocide, akin to the Holocaust, that was deliberately kept away from the rest of India by the media, the 'intellectual' lobby and the government of the day because of their vested interests. |access-date=14 March 2022 |archive-date=14 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314184836/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/the-kashmir-files-movie-review-a-disturbing-take-which-grips-and-gripes-in-turns/article65223787.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>

''The Kashmir Files'' stars [[Mithun Chakraborty]], [[Anupam Kher]], [[Darshan Kumar]], and [[Pallavi Joshi]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Negi |first=Shrishti |date=9 March 2022 |title=The Kashmir Files Producer Pallavi Joshi: Am I Making the Film for Hindu Rashtra? I'm Just Telling a Story |url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/the-kashmir-files-producer-pallavi-joshi-am-i-making-the-film-for-hindu-rashtra-im-just-telling-a-story-4854995.html |access-date=11 March 2022 |website=News18 |archive-date=11 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311075751/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/the-kashmir-files-producer-pallavi-joshi-am-i-making-the-film-for-hindu-rashtra-im-just-telling-a-story-4854995.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The plot follows a Kashmiri Hindu college student, raised by his exiled grandfather and shielded from the knowledge of the circumstances of the death of his parents. After his grandfather's death, the student, who had come to believe at college that the exodus was benign, becomes driven to uncover the facts of his family's deaths. The plot alternates between the student's quest in the present time, 2020, and his family's travails of thirty years before. The film was released in theatres on 11 March 2022.<ref name="Bollywood Hungama 8 Feb" /> It has been a commercial success,<ref name="BBC" /><ref name="Scroll BJP Promoting">{{Cite web |last=Poddar |first=Umang |date=17 March 2022 |title=How the BJP is promoting 'The Kashmir Files': Modi's endorsement, tax breaks, leave from work |url=https://scroll.in/article/1019708/how-the-bjp-is-promoting-the-kashmir-files-modis-endorsement-tax-breaks-leave-from-work |access-date=18 March 2022 |website=Scroll.in |archive-date=18 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318052302/https://scroll.in/article/1019708/how-the-bjp-is-promoting-the-kashmir-files-modis-endorsement-tax-breaks-leave-from-work |url-status=live }}</ref> seemingly benefitting from promotion by India's ruling [[Hindu nationalism|Hindu nationalist]] [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) and [[Tax deduction|tax benefits]].<ref name="NDTV runaway success">{{Cite web |last=Akhil |first=Kumar |date=18 March 2022 |title=How 'The Kashmir Files', Praised By PM Modi, Became A Runaway Success |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/how-the-kashmir-files-praised-by-pm-modi-became-a-runaway-success-2828326 |access-date=2022-03-20 |website=NDTV |archive-date=20 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320140105/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/how-the-kashmir-files-praised-by-pm-modi-became-a-runaway-success-2828326 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The critical reception of the film was mixed,<ref name="BBC" /> with the cinematography and acting thought to be compelling,{{refn|<ref name="Quint review" /><ref name="TKFDH" /><ref name="pinkvilla2" />}} but the storyline attracting criticism for attempting to recast established history<ref name="Shilajit Mitra" /><ref name="Anuj Kumar">{{citation |last=Kumar |first=Anuj |title='The Kashmir Files' movie review: A disturbing take which grips and gripes in turns |date=14 March 2022 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/the-kashmir-files-movie-review-a-disturbing-take-which-grips-and-gripes-in-turns/article65223787.ece |newspaper=The Hindu |access-date=14 March 2022 |archive-date=14 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314184836/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/the-kashmir-files-movie-review-a-disturbing-take-which-grips-and-gripes-in-turns/article65223787.ece |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="BBC News2" /> and propagating [[Islamophobia]].<ref name="Al Jazeera" /><ref name="Anuj Kumar" /><ref name="BBC News2" /><ref name="Shubhra Gupta" /><ref name="Siasat">{{Cite news |date=14 March 2022 |title='The Kashmir Files' is Hindutva's latest anti-Muslim weapon |url=https://www.siasat.com/the-kashmir-files-is-hindutvas-latest-anti-muslim-weapon-2290523/ |access-date=16 March 2022 |work=[[The Siasat Daily]] |archive-date=15 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315151604/https://www.siasat.com/the-kashmir-files-is-hindutvas-latest-anti-muslim-weapon-2290523/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Supporters have praised the film for showing what they say is an overlooked aspect of Kashmir's history.<ref name="Al Jazeera" /> [[Prime Minister of India|Indian Prime Minister]] [[Narendra Modi]] and several BJP ministers have praised the film.<ref name="BBC News2" /> Theatres across India have witnessed [[hate speech]] against Muslims, including incitement to violence.<ref name="France24">{{Cite web |date=2022-04-08 |others=AFP |title=India's Hindu hardliners jump on Kashmir blockbuster |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220408-india-s-hindu-hardliners-jump-on-kashmir-blockbuster |access-date=2022-04-10 |website=France 24 |archive-date=10 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410190630/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220408-india-s-hindu-hardliners-jump-on-kashmir-blockbuster |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-17 |title=The Kashmir Files: Videos of Anti-Muslim Hate, Slogans in Theatres Go Viral |url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/the-kashmir-files-anti-muslim-hate-slogans-enter-theatres-across-country |access-date=2022-03-24 |website=TheQuint |archive-date=17 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317145910/https://www.thequint.com/news/india/the-kashmir-files-anti-muslim-hate-slogans-enter-theatres-across-country |url-status=live }}</ref> {{As of|2022|4|28}}, the film, which cost approximately {{INRConvert|15|c|lk=on}}<ref name="India Today">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/why-the-kashmir-files-is-a-blockbuster-nobody-saw-coming-1925582-2022-03-15|publisher=India Today|title=Why the Kashmir files is a blockbuster|last=Singh|first=Suhani|date=March 15, 2022|access-date=16 March 2022|archive-date=16 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316052752/https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/why-the-kashmir-files-is-a-blockbuster-nobody-saw-coming-1925582-2022-03-15|url-status=live}}</ref> to {{INRConvert|25|c|lk=off}}<ref name="GQ budget" /> to make, had grossed  {{INRConvert|340.92|c|lk=off}} worldwide,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Kashmir Files Box Office |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/the-kashmir-files/box-office/ |website=Bollywood Hungama |access-date=24 April 2022 |archive-date=4 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504153908/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/the-kashmir-files/box-office/ |url-status=live }}</ref> becoming the [[List of Hindi films of 2022#Box office collection|third highest-grossing Hindi film of 2022]].

In the present day, Sharda's younger son Krishna is brought up by Pushkar. He believes that his parents had died in an accident. A student of [[Jawaharlal Nehru University|ANU]],{{efn|name=JNU|In India, reference to [[Jawaharlal Nehru University|JNU]] has been changed to ANU following the directions of [[Central Board of Film Certification]].<ref>{{cite web |title=BREAKING: Vivek Agnihotri's The Kashmir Files passed with an 'A' certificate and 7 minor cuts by CBFC; name of the university changed from JNU to ANU |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/breaking-vivek-agnihotris-kashmir-files-passed-certificate-7-minor-cuts-cbfc-name-university-changed-jnu-anu/ |website=Bollywood Hungama |date=8 March 2022 |access-date=8 March 2022 |archive-date=8 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308110121/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/breaking-vivek-agnihotris-kashmir-files-passed-certificate-7-minor-cuts-cbfc-name-university-changed-jnu-anu/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In an interview with [[The Lallantop|Lallantop]] on 16 March 2022, Vivek Agnihotri mentioned that the name of the university has been retained as JNU in the international print of the movie.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWq3IRbdwq0|title = The Kashmir Files Interview । Vivek Agnihotri & Pallavi Joshi । Saurabh Dwivedi । the Lallantop|website = [[YouTube]]|access-date = 18 March 2022|archive-date = 18 March 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220318092939/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWq3IRbdwq0|url-status = live}}</ref> }} Krishna is under the influence of professor Radhika Menon who is a supporter of [[Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir|Kashmiri separatism]]. Pushkar's friends Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh, and police officer Hari Narain, who had served in Kashmir when Karan was killed, recall the events of Kashmir from their memory that Brahma calls a "[[genocide]]".

* [[Mithun Chakraborty]] as [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]] Brahma Dutt<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, Darshan Kumaar and Puneet Isaar are the key artists in the movie 'The Kashmir Files'|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/not-anupam-kher-but-mithun-chakraborty-was-the-highest-paid-actor-of-the-kashmir-files-here-what-the-rest-charged-bollywood-news-entertainment-news-article-90396608|date=18 March 2022|access-date=19 March 2022|website=[[Times Now]]|language=en|archive-date=23 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323114413/https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/not-anupam-kher-but-mithun-chakraborty-was-the-highest-paid-actor-of-the-kashmir-files-here-what-the-rest-charged-bollywood-news-entertainment-news-article-90396608|url-status=live}}</ref>

* [[Anupam Kher]] as Pushkar Nath Pandit<ref>{{Cite web|title=Anupam Kher calls The Kashmir Files a movement, shares video of youngsters urging people to watch film|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/anupam-kher-calls-the-kashmir-files-a-movement-shares-video-of-youngsters-urging-people-to-watch-film-1926206-2022-03-16|date=18 March 2022|access-date=19 March 2022|website=[[India Today]]|language=en|archive-date=17 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317021235/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/anupam-kher-calls-the-kashmir-files-a-movement-shares-video-of-youngsters-urging-people-to-watch-film-1926206-2022-03-16|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 14 August 2019, Agnihotri announced the film with its first look poster with an intent to release it on 15 August 2020, coinciding with [[India's Independence Day]]. The subject of the film was the exodus of [[Kashmiri Pandits]] that took place between the late 80s and early 90s.<ref>{{cite news |title=Vivek Agnihotri's The Kashmir Files to go on floors next month |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2020/jan/01/vivek-agnihotris-the-kashmir-files-to-go-on-floors-next-month-16315.html |access-date=31 December 2020 |publisher=[[Cinema Express]] |date=1 January 2020 |archive-date=22 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122220820/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2020/jan/01/vivek-agnihotris-the-kashmir-files-to-go-on-floors-next-month-16315.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=14 August 2019 |title=The Kashmir Files: Vivek Agnihotri announces new film through poster, announces its release on 15 August, 2020 |work=[[Firstpost]] |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/the-kashmir-files-vivek-agnihotri-announces-new-film-through-poster-announces-its-release-on-15-august-2020-7162381.html |access-date=18 March 2022 |archive-date=18 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318152651/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/the-kashmir-files-vivek-agnihotri-announces-new-film-through-poster-announces-its-release-on-15-august-2020-7162381.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Agnihotri touted the film to be the second instalment of his trilogy of "untold stories of independent India", which includes the films ''[[The Tashkent Files]]'' (2019) and an upcoming ''[[The Delhi Files]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 September 2021 |title=Vivek Agnihotri to complete trilogy, announces The Delhi Files |work=Cinema Express |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/hindi/news/2021/sep/13/vivek-agnihotri-to-complete-trilogy-announces-the-delhi-files-26602.html |access-date=19 March 2022 |archive-date=19 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319150913/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/hindi/news/2021/sep/13/vivek-agnihotri-to-complete-trilogy-announces-the-delhi-files-26602.html |url-status=live }}</ref> As a part of the production, Agnihotri claimed to have interviewed more than 700 emigrants from the exodus and recorded their stories over a period of two years.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhargava |first=Eshita |date=7 March 2022 |title=Vivek Agnihotri on The Kashmir Files: 'I wanted to make a film about people who did not pick up guns' |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/vivek-agnihotri-on-the-kashmir-files-i-wanted-to-make-a-film-about-people-who-did-not-pick-up-guns-10416331.html |access-date=11 March 2022 |website=Firstpost |archive-date=11 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311055637/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/vivek-agnihotri-on-the-kashmir-files-i-wanted-to-make-a-film-about-people-who-did-not-pick-up-guns-10416331.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Actor Anupam Kher joined the cast as the lead actor of the film in December 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=5 December 2019 |title=Anupam Kher joins Vivek Agnihotri's next, The Kashmir Files |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/anupam-kher-joins-vivek-agnihotris-next-the-kashmir-files/ |access-date=27 April 2022 |website=Bollywood Hungama |archive-date=11 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511024757/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/anupam-kher-joins-vivek-agnihotris-next-the-kashmir-files/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The first schedule of the film, supposed to take place in March 2020, was called off due the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India]],<ref>{{cite news |date=17 March 2020 |title=COVID 19 effect: Shooting of 'The Kashmir Files' called off |work=Entertainment Times |publisher=The Times of India |agency=IANS |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/covid-19-effect-shooting-of-the-kashmir-files-called-off/articleshow/74673912.cms |access-date=31 December 2020 |archive-date=23 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323011349/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/covid-19-effect-shooting-of-the-kashmir-files-called-off/articleshow/74673912.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> and was started later the same year in December in [[Mussoorie]].<ref name="Tribune Yograj Singh" /> The entire film was shot in 30 days, largely in Mussoorie and [[Dehradun]], along with a week-long shooting schedule in Kashmir, including at [[Dal Lake]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Verma |first=Neha |date=15 March 2022 |title=The Kashmir Files DOP Uday Singh Mohite says the shooting experience was depressing. Here's why |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/the-kashmir-files-dop-uday-singh-mohite-says-the-shooting-experience-was-depressing-here-s-why-exclusive-1925638-2022-03-15 |access-date=27 April 2022 |website=India Today |archive-date=8 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408090848/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/the-kashmir-files-dop-uday-singh-mohite-says-the-shooting-experience-was-depressing-here-s-why-exclusive-1925638-2022-03-15 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Yograj Singh]] was removed before the production started in December 2020 for his speeches at the [[2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest]]<ins>,</ins> and [[Puneet Issar]] was brought in as the replacement.<ref name="Tribune Yograj Singh">{{cite news |date=12 December 2020 |title=Yograj Singh out of Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri's The Kashmir Files |work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune India]] |publisher= |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/lifestyle/yograj-singh-out-of-vivek-ranjan-agnihotris-the-kashmir-files-183221 |access-date=20 March 2022 |archive-date=18 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318152700/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/lifestyle/yograj-singh-out-of-vivek-ranjan-agnihotris-the-kashmir-files-183221 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Puneet Issar Replaces Yograj Singh In 'The Kashmir Files' Post Singh's Derogatory Remark |url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/puneet-issar-replaces-yograj-singh-in-the-kashmir-files-post-singhs-derogatory-remarks/23144242 |access-date=31 December 2020 |publisher=[[Mid-Day]] |date=15 December 2020 |archive-date=18 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218032517/https://www.mid-day.com/articles/puneet-issar-replaces-yograj-singh-in-the-kashmir-files-post-singhs-derogatory-remarks/23144242 |url-status=live }}</ref> A [[line producer]], Sarahna died during the production by suicide.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cyril |first=Grace |date=9 July 2021 |title=Kashmir Files line producer Sarahna dies by suicide, Anupam Kher cites depression |work=[[India Today]] |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/kashmir-files-line-producer-sarahna-dies-by-suicide-anupam-kher-cites-depression-1825957-2021-07-09 |access-date=18 March 2022 |archive-date=18 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318204139/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/kashmir-files-line-producer-sarahna-dies-by-suicide-anupam-kher-cites-depression-1825957-2021-07-09 |url-status=live }}</ref> The production was wrapped up by 16 January 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 January 2021 |title=It's a wrap for The Kashmir Files |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2021/jan/16/its-a-wrap-for-the-kashmir-files-22279.html |access-date=27 April 2022 |website=[[Cinema Express]] |archive-date=3 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503130615/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2021/jan/16/its-a-wrap-for-the-kashmir-files-22279.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Produced by Tej Narayan Agarwal, Abhishek Agarwal, Pallavi Joshi and Vivek Agnihotri under the banners of Zee Studios, IAmBuddha and Abhishek Agarwal Arts,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Keshri |first=Shweta |date=3 April 2022 |title=The Kashmir Files producer announces next pan-India film, Vivek Agnihotri attends launch event |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/the-kashmir-files-producer-announces-next-pan-india-film-vivek-agnihotri-attends-launch-event-1932994-2022-04-03 |access-date=2 May 2022 |website=[[India Today]] |archive-date=2 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502093453/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/the-kashmir-files-producer-announces-next-pan-india-film-vivek-agnihotri-attends-launch-event-1932994-2022-04-03 |url-status=live }}</ref> the film was made on a budget of approximately {{INRConvert|15|c}}<ref name="India Today2">{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Suhani |date=March 15, 2022 |title=Why the Kashmir files is a blockbuster |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/why-the-kashmir-files-is-a-blockbuster-nobody-saw-coming-1925582-2022-03-15 |access-date=15 March 2022 |publisher=India Today |archive-date=16 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316052752/https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/why-the-kashmir-files-is-a-blockbuster-nobody-saw-coming-1925582-2022-03-15 |url-status=live }}</ref> to {{INRConvert|25|c}}.<ref name="GQ budget" />

The [[Central Board of Film Certification|Indian Censor board]] (CBFC) gave ''The Kashmir Files'' [[Central Board of Film Certification#A certificate|A certificate]], which is restricted to [[18 rating|adults (aged 18 and above)]]. According to CBFC, it is a feature film in the genre '[[drama film|drama]]' and there is no mention of the film being commercial/documentary in the CBFC records.<ref name="Censor board 7 April 2022">{{cite news |title=The Kashmir Files is a 'drama' movie: censor board in RTI reply |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/the-kashmir-files-is-a-drama-movie-censor-board-in-rti-reply-7857074/ |access-date=9 April 2022 |work=The Indian Express |date=7 April 2022 |archive-date=9 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409033115/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/the-kashmir-files-is-a-drama-movie-censor-board-in-rti-reply-7857074/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[British Board of Film Classification]] (BBFC) found the film to contain "strong bloody violence" and certified the film as [[British Board of Film Classification#15|suitable only for viewers aged 15 years and over]].<ref name="BBFC" /> Australian censors gave the film an [[Motion picture content rating system#Australia|18+]] plus rating.<ref name="Stuff 23 March 2022" />

In New Zealand, the censorship clearance was mired in controversy. The film had originally received an [[Motion picture content rating system#New Zealand|R16]] classification from the New Zealand [[Classification Office (New Zealand)|Classification Office]].<ref name="Stuff 23 March 2022">{{cite news |last1=Franks |first1=Josephine |title=Chief censor reviewing classification of The Kashmir Files after concerns from Muslim community |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/128108533/chief-censor-reviewing-classification-of-the-kashmir-files-after-concerns-from-muslim-community |access-date=23 March 2022 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=19 March 2022 |url-status=live |archive-date=22 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322025444/https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/128108533/chief-censor-reviewing-classification-of-the-kashmir-files-after-concerns-from-muslim-community }}</ref> However, with the [[Islam in New Zealand|Muslim community]] raising concerns about potential incitement of [[Islamophobia]], the rating was raised to [[Motion picture content rating system#New Zealand|R18]]; [[David Shanks]], the [[Chief Censor of New Zealand]], highlighted "the nature and intensity of the violence and cruelty depicted" and defended the new age restriction to be in consistence with Australia and India.<ref>{{cite news |date=25 March 2022 |title=NZ tightens Kashmir Files rating after anti-Muslim concerns |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/nz-tightens-kashmir-files-rating-after-anti-muslim-concerns/6NXDXWU2ESQUGMSUER7XFC76NY/ |url-status=live |access-date=27 March 2022 |archive-date=27 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327110018/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/nz-tightens-kashmir-files-rating-after-anti-muslim-concerns/6NXDXWU2ESQUGMSUER7XFC76NY/ }}</ref><ref name="Stuff 23 March 2022" /> Leader of the right-wing [[New Zealand First]] party [[Winston Peters]] accused the Classification Office of censoring the film based on its political content, and was supported by other politicians.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=Arvind |date=2022-03-22 |title='The Kashmir Files' not a fictional movie, says New Zealand's Hindu community |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/tarana/128120899/the-kashmir-files-not-a-fictional-movie-says-new-zealands-hindu-community |access-date=2022-05-17 |website=Stuff |archive-date=23 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323230337/https://www.stuff.co.nz/tarana/128120899/the-kashmir-files-not-a-fictional-movie-says-new-zealands-hindu-community |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-20 |title='The Kashmir Files' classification creates controversy in New Zealand |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/the-kashmir-files-classification-creates-controversy-in-new-zealand-1093018.html |access-date=2022-05-17 |website=Deccan Herald |archive-date=17 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517220737/https://www.deccanherald.com/national/the-kashmir-files-classification-creates-controversy-in-new-zealand-1093018.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In Singapore, the film was banned by the [[Infocomm Media Development Authority|censor authority]] after a consultation with the [[Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth]] and the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (Singapore)|Ministry of Home Affairs]]; the film's "provocative and one-sided portrayal of Muslims" was held to have the potential of disrupting "social cohesion and religious harmony".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kai |first=Ng Wei |date=9 May 2022 |title=The Kashmir Files movie banned in Singapore over potential to cause enmity, disrupt harmony |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/kashmir-files-movie-banned-in-singapore-over-potential-to-cause-enmity-disrupt-harmony |access-date=11 May 2022 |website=[[The Straits Times]] |archive-date=11 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511050644/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/kashmir-files-movie-banned-in-singapore-over-potential-to-cause-enmity-disrupt-harmony |url-status=live }}</ref> The ban has been argued as a strong-handed way of protecting the country's [[secularism]], an approach of pre-emptive actions that the [[People's Action Party]], the governing party of Singapore, has long been undertaking to maintain racial and [[Religion in Singapore|religious]] societal harmony.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Chakraborthy |first1=Antara |last2=Prakash |first2=Pravin |date=27 May 2022 |title=A tale of two countries: interpreting The Kashmir Files |url=https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/tale-two-countries-interpreting-kashmir-files |access-date=26 June 2022 |website=The Interpreter |publisher=[[Lowy Institute]] |archive-date=28 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628162505/https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/tale-two-countries-interpreting-kashmir-files |url-status=live }}</ref>

A [[Public interest litigation in India|public interest litigation]] (PIL) was filed by an Uttar Pradesh resident which sought a stay on the film's release on grounds that the film may portray the Muslims as killers of the Kashmiri Pandits, presenting what it described as a one-sided view that would hurt the sentiments of Muslims and could trigger [[Violence against Muslims in India|violence against Muslims]]. The PIL was dismissed by the [[Bombay High Court]] on grounds that the filer should have challenged the certificate issued to the film by the [[Central Board of Film Certification]].<ref name="IT plea dismissed">{{Cite web |last=Vidya |date=8 March 2022 |title=Plea against The Kashmir Files dismissed by Bombay High Court |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/plea-against-the-kashmir-files-dismissed-by-bombay-high-court-1922316-2022-03-08 |access-date=10 March 2022 |website=India Today |archive-date=8 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308205620/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/plea-against-the-kashmir-files-dismissed-by-bombay-high-court-1922316-2022-03-08 |url-status=live }}</ref> Another lawsuit was filed by the widow of an Indian Armed Forces squadron leader who died during the Kashmir Insurgency. The widow's lawsuit said that the film portrayed a false depiction of events related to her husband and sought a stay on its release. Accordingly, the court restrained the makers from showing the relevant scenes.<ref name="IT court stays">{{Cite web |last=Dipali |first=Patel |date=10 March 2022 |title=Court stays release of Vivek Agnihotri's The Kashmir Files |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/court-stays-release-of-vivek-agnihotri-s-the-kashmir-files-1923950-2022-03-10 |access-date=10 March 2022 |website=India Today |archive-date=10 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310151404/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/court-stays-release-of-vivek-agnihotri-s-the-kashmir-files-1923950-2022-03-10 |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition, miscellaneous petitions were filed in various courts to stop the screening on the potential of promoting communal enmity.<ref name="CNN-28Apr22">{{Cite news |last1=Mogul |first1=Rhea |last2=Mitra |first2=Esha |last3=Suri |first3=Manveena |title=India's latest box office smash 'The Kashmir Files' exposes deepening religious divides |url=https://www.cnn.com/style/article/india-kashmir-files-controversy-intl-hnk/index.html |date=28 April 2022 |access-date=30 June 2022 |work=[[CNN]] |language=en |archive-date=2 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702093012/https://www.cnn.com/style/article/india-kashmir-files-controversy-intl-hnk/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Kak" />

''The Kashmir Files'' was set to release theatrically worldwide on 26 January 2022, coinciding with [[India's Republic Day]], but was postponed due to the spread of the [[SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant|Omicron variant]] of [[COVID-19]].<ref name="post:bh">{{Cite news |date=27 January 2022 |title=Vivek Agnihotri's The Kashmir Files poster gets featured at Times Square on India's 73rd Republic Day |work=[[Pinkvilla]] |agency=IANS |url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/news/vivek-agnihotris-kashmir-files-poster-gets-featured-times-square-indias-73rd-republic-day-1007624 |access-date=18 March 2022 |archive-date=18 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318194940/https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/news/vivek-agnihotris-kashmir-files-poster-gets-featured-times-square-indias-73rd-republic-day-1007624 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was initially released in over 630 screens in India on 11 March 2022<ref name="IE box office">{{Cite web |date=13 March 2022 |title=The Kashmir Files box office collection Day 1: Vivek Agnihotri film mints Rs 3.55 crore |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/box-office-collection/the-kashmir-files-box-office-collection-day-1-vivek-agnihotri-film-7816736 |access-date=13 March 2022 |website=The Indian Express |archive-date=12 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220312235405/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/box-office-collection/the-kashmir-files-box-office-collection-day-1-vivek-agnihotri-film-7816736/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and was later increased to 4,000 screens.<ref name="Bollywood Hungama screens">{{Cite news |date=18 March 2022 |title=The Kashmir Files Box Office: Screens for Vivek Agnihotri's directorial increased from 650 to 4000 in one week owing to an overwhelming response from the audience |website=Bollywood Hungama |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/box-office-special-features/kashmir-files-box-office-screens-vivek-agnihotris-directorial-increased-650-4000-one-week-owing-overwhelming-response-audience/ |url-status=live |access-date=18 March 2022 |archive-date=18 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318064240/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/box-office-special-features/kashmir-files-box-office-screens-vivek-agnihotris-directorial-increased-650-4000-one-week-owing-overwhelming-response-audience/ }}</ref> The film was re-released on 19 January 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 January 2023 |title=The Kashmir Files to re-release in theatres ahead of Cinema Lovers Day, tickets for Rs 99 |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/the-kashmir-files-re-release-tickets-for-rs-99-8389016/ |access-date=18 January 2023 |website=[[The Indian Express]] |language=en |archive-date=18 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118105910/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/the-kashmir-files-re-release-tickets-for-rs-99-8389016/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The film was premiered for worldwide streaming on [[ZEE5]] from 13 May 2022,<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 April 2022 |title=ZEE5 sets premiere date for 'The Kashmir Files' |work=[[The Hindu]] |agency=[[Press Trust of India]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/zee5-sets-premiere-date-for-the-kashmir-files/article65353578.ece |url-status=live |access-date=25 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426142346/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/zee5-sets-premiere-date-for-the-kashmir-files/article65353578.ece |archive-date=26 April 2022 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and [[Indian Sign Language]]. With this film, ZEE5 became the first [[OTT platform]] to release a commercial [[Bollywood film]] with an interpretation in the Indian Sign Language.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 May 2022 |title=The Kashmir Files to Release on OTT with Indian Sign Language, Sets World Record |url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/the-kashmir-files-to-release-on-ott-with-indian-sign-language-sets-world-record-5162437.html |access-date=15 June 2022 |website=[[News18]] |archive-date=15 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615152025/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/the-kashmir-files-to-release-on-ott-with-indian-sign-language-sets-world-record-5162437.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The film also recorded the highest number of views for ZEE5 during its opening weekend and the first week at more than 6 million and 9 million views respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 May 2022 |title=With 9 million views and over 300 million streaming minutes in a week, The Kashmir Files breaks all records on ZEE5 |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/9-million-views-300-million-streaming-minutes-week-kashmir-files-breaks-records-zee5/ |access-date=15 June 2022 |website=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |archive-date=15 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615152719/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/9-million-views-300-million-streaming-minutes-week-kashmir-files-breaks-records-zee5/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The ruling [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) has endorsed and promoted the film in explicit terms,<ref name="BBC News2">{{Cite news |last=Sebastian |first=Meryl |date=15 March 2022 |title=Kashmir Files: Vivek Agnihotri's film exposes India's new fault lines |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-60732939 |access-date=15 March 2022 |archive-date=27 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220427045135/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-60732939 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="IE tax-free">{{Cite web |date=15 March 2022 |others=PTI inputs |title=The Kashmir Files declared tax-free in six BJP-run states |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/more-bjp-run-states-make-kashmir-files-tax-free-7820008/ |access-date=27 April 2022 |website=The Indian Express |archive-date=6 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220506204618/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/more-bjp-run-states-make-kashmir-files-tax-free-7820008/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Scroll BJP promoting">{{Cite web |last=Poddar |first=Umang |date=17 March 2022 |title=How the BJP is promoting 'The Kashmir Files': Modi's endorsement, tax breaks, leave from work |url=https://scroll.in/article/1019708/how-the-bjp-is-promoting-the-kashmir-files-modis-endorsement-tax-breaks-leave-from-work |access-date=27 April 2022 |website=Scroll.in |archive-date=18 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318052302/https://scroll.in/article/1019708/how-the-bjp-is-promoting-the-kashmir-files-modis-endorsement-tax-breaks-leave-from-work |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Bhatia">{{Cite web |last=Bhatia |first=Sidharth |date=19 March 2022 |title='The Kashmir Files' Is a Manipulative Propaganda Vehicle To Rouse Emotions Against Muslims |url=https://thewire.in/film/the-kashmir-files-manipulative-propaganda-vehicle-rouse-emotions-vivek-agnihotri-bjp |access-date=2022-03-19 |website=The Wire |archive-date=19 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319130937/https://thewire.in/film/the-kashmir-files-manipulative-propaganda-vehicle-rouse-emotions-vivek-agnihotri-bjp |url-status=live }}</ref> which has led to significant audience at theatres making it a runaway commercial success.<ref name="NDTV runaway success"/> Union Minister [[Smriti Irani]] was one of the most vocal in promoting it.<ref name="BBC News2"/> Prime Minister Narendra Modi has attacked critics in response to negative reviews, claiming that there is a conspiracy to discredit the film, which according to him "reveals the truth"; he met with Agnihotri to congratulate him, as did Home Minister [[Amit Shah]].<ref name="Scroll BJP promoting" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Akhilesh |date=15 March 2022 |editor-last=Kumar |editor-first=Akhil |title=PM Says "Conspiracy", "Campaign To Discredit" Film 'The Kashmir Files' |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pm-modi-on-the-kashmir-files-movie-those-who-tried-to-hide-the-truth-are-opposing-it-2823654 |access-date=15 March 2022 |website=NDTV |archive-date=15 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315081932/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pm-modi-on-the-kashmir-files-movie-those-who-tried-to-hide-the-truth-are-opposing-it-2823654 |url-status=live }}</ref> The BJP Information and Technology Cell, known for being the party's propaganda unit promoted the film with its head raising calls for people to watch it.<ref name="Scroll BJP promoting" /> Pro-government media were also involved in its promotion; ''[[OpIndia]]'' — a pro-[[Hindutva]] news portal — published several articles raining praises on the film and questioning the motives of critics as well as opposition parties while television channels hosted multiple shows and debates to the same ends.<ref name="Scroll BJP promoting" /> Following the release of the film, Agnihotri was provided with a [[Security categories in India|Y-category security detail]] from the [[Central Reserve Police Force]] by the [[Ministry of Home Affairs]], based on what an official described as inputs of perceived threat to the director's safety.<ref>{{cite news |last=Tiwary |first=Deeptiman |date=19 March 2022 |title=Kashmir Files director gets Y-category security cover |work=The Indian Express |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/vivek-agnihotri-y-category-security-the-kashmir-files-7825821/ |access-date=19 March 2022 |archive-date=18 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318152329/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/vivek-agnihotri-y-category-security-the-kashmir-files-7825821/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The film was declared tax-free in multiple BJP governed states—[[Goa]], [[Gujarat]], [[Haryana]], [[Karnataka]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[Tripura]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Uttarakhand]], [[Bihar]] and [[Himachal Pradesh]]—with calls by several chief ministers and [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha|Members of Parliament]] for "everyone to watch the movie".<ref name="IE tax-free" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=15 March 2022 |title=Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Tripura and Goa declare 'The Kashmir Files' tax-free |work=[[The Economic Times]] |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/uttar-pradesh-uttarakhand-tripura-and-goa-declare-the-kashmir-files-tax-free/articleshow/90214428.cms |access-date=15 March 2022 |archive-date=15 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315075811/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/uttar-pradesh-uttarakhand-tripura-and-goa-declare-the-kashmir-files-tax-free/articleshow/90214428.cms |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Chowdhury |first=Rishita Roy |date=16 March 2022 |title=Vivek Agnihotri's film The Kashmir Files now tax-free in Bihar |publisher=India Today |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/vivek-agnihotri-s-film-the-kashmir-files-now-tax-free-in-bihar-1926129-2022-03-16 |access-date=16 March 2022 |archive-date=16 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316120506/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/vivek-agnihotri-s-film-the-kashmir-files-now-tax-free-in-bihar-1926129-2022-03-16 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=16 March 2022 |title=The Kashmir Files goes tax free in Himachal too |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/cities/shimla/kashmir-files-goes-tax-free-himachal-1503052408.html |access-date=18 March 2022 |website=The Statesman |archive-date=18 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318033728/https://www.thestatesman.com/cities/shimla/kashmir-files-goes-tax-free-himachal-1503052408.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=14 March 2022 |title=More BJP-ruled states make 'The Kashmir Files' movie tax-free |work=Business Standard India |agency=Press Trust of India |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/more-bjp-ruled-states-make-the-kashmir-files-movie-tax-free-122031401345_1.html |access-date=16 March 2022 |archive-date=15 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315104254/https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/more-bjp-ruled-states-make-the-kashmir-files-movie-tax-free-122031401345_1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Assam]] and Madhya Pradesh granted vacations to government employees and police personnel respectively, if they planned to watch the movie; Assam, Karnataka and Tripura governments held special screenings of the film.<ref name="Scroll BJP promoting" /> In addition, in the states of [[Chhattisgarh]], [[Maharashtra]] and [[West Bengal]], which have opposition parties in power, BJP legislators have called for their respective state governments to make the film tax-free.<ref name="Scroll BJP promoting" /> Across the country, BJP legislators have bought out screens for audiences to watch the movie for free.<ref name="Scroll BJP promoting" />

[[Shubhra Gupta]] reviewing for ''[[The Indian Express]]'' rated the film 1.5 out of 5 stars, criticising the film for being uninterested in nuance and describing the film as propaganda aligned with the ruling party, that aimed to stoke the "deep-seated anger" of Pandits. However, she also stated that the film did tap "into the grief of the displaced Pandits," and commended Kher's performance.<ref name="Shubhra Gupta">{{Cite news |last=Gupta |first=Shubhra |author-link=Shubhra Gupta |date=12 March 2022 |title=The Kashmir Files movie review: Anupam Kher is the emotional core of this overwrought film |website=[[The Indian Express]] |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/the-kashmir-files-anupam-kher-emotional-core-vivek-ranjan-agnihotri-7816266/ |url-status=live |access-date=12 March 2022 |archive-date=12 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220312045225/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/the-kashmir-files-anupam-kher-emotional-core-vivek-ranjan-agnihotri-7816266/ }}</ref> Rahul Desai reviewing for ''[[Film Companion]]'', found the work to be a "fantasy-revisionist" rant lacking in clarity, craft, and sense where every Muslim was a Nazi and every Hindu, a Jew; with an unconvincing screenplay and weak characters, it was propaganda that strove only to tune in with the [[Hindutva|Hindu nationalist]] mood of the nation rather than offer any genuine empathy to the displaced victims.<ref name="Rahul Desai">{{Cite news |last=Desai |first=Rahul |date=11 March 2022 |title=The Kashmir Files Is A Defensive And Dishonest Dive Into The Past |newspaper=Film Companion}}</ref>

Tanul Thakur, reviewing for ''[[The Wire (India)|The Wire]]'', was scathing: the film—"monotonous", "inert", and boasting of an "objectively poor screenplay"—was set up in an alternate reality and felt like iterations of collected [[WhatsApp|Whatsapp]] screeds in service of a Hindu majoritarian state and especially [[Narendra Modi]]; Agnihotri lured the audience with facts only to distort and [[Communalism (South Asia)|communalize]] them, and target those who are critical of the incumbent political government in India.<ref name="Tanul Thakur">{{Cite web |last=Thakur |first=Tanul |date=19 March 2022 |title=As a Film, 'The Kashmir Files' Is Both Laughable and Frightening in Its Relentless Communalism |url=https://thewire.in/film/as-a-film-the-kashmir-files-is-both-laughable-and-frightening-in-its-relentless-communalism |access-date=2022-03-24 |website=The Wire |archive-date=24 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324232241/https://thewire.in/film/as-a-film-the-kashmir-files-is-both-laughable-and-frightening-in-its-relentless-communalism |url-status=live }}</ref> Asim Ali, reviewing for ''[[Newslaundry]]'', was also critical of the film, finding it to have exploited the sufferings of Kashmiri Pandits in peddling a Hindu Nationalist worldview where no Muslim in Kashmir had any aspiration except persecuting Hindus.<ref name="Asim Ali">{{Cite web |last=Ali |first=Asim |date=15 March 2022 |title=Don't trust Muslims, leftists or secularists: Why The Kashmir Files is no Schindler's List |url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2022/03/15/dont-trust-muslims-leftists-or-secularists-why-the-kashmir-files-is-no-schindlers-list |access-date=2022-03-19 |website=Newslaundry |archive-date=18 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318134933/https://www.newslaundry.com/2022/03/15/dont-trust-muslims-leftists-or-secularists-why-the-kashmir-files-is-no-schindlers-list |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Reuters">{{cite news |last1=Jamkhandikar |first1=Shilpa |title=Controversial Kashmir movie praised by India's Modi is box office hit |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/india/controversial-kashmir-movie-praised-by-indias-modi-is-box-office-hit-2022-03-16/ |access-date=27 March 2022 |work=Reuters |date=16 March 2022 |archive-date=27 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327161003/https://www.reuters.com/world/india/controversial-kashmir-movie-praised-by-indias-modi-is-box-office-hit-2022-03-16/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Shilajit Mitra of ''[[The New Indian Express]]'' panned the film with a rating of 1 out of 5 stars and castigated Agnihotri for exploiting the suffering of Kashmiri Pandits by doing away with all nuance in service of a "communal agenda".<ref name="Shilajit Mitra">{{Cite web |last=Mitra |first=Shilajit |date=12 March 2022 |title=Kashmir Files, A limp attempt at provocation |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2022/mar/12/movie-review-kashmir-files-a-limp-attempt-at-provocation-2429076.html |access-date=12 March 2022 |website=The New Indian Express |archive-date=12 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220312233944/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2022/mar/12/movie-review-kashmir-files-a-limp-attempt-at-provocation-2429076.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Debasish Roy Chowdhury, co-author of [[To Kill a Democracy|''To Kill a Democracy: India's Passage to Despotism'']], found the film to be a prominent marker of India's "descent into darkness"; rather than offering genuine closure for the Pandits, Agnihotri inflamed hatred against Muslims, secular parties, and liberal media in pursuance of a Hindu Supremacist cause.<ref name="Roy Chowdhury">{{Cite magazine |last=Roy Chowdhury |first=Debasish |date=2022-03-30 |title=Column: How One Film Marks India's Descent Into Darkness |url=https://time.com/6162035/kashmir-files-india-hindu-muslim/ |magazine=TIME |access-date=27 April 2022 |archive-date=3 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403201139/https://time.com/6162035/kashmir-files-india-hindu-muslim/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Nitasha Kaul]], a Kashmiri Pandit academic, reviewing for ''[[The News Minute]]'', held the work to be a communal and [[Masculism|masculinist]] propaganda that collapsed the complex politics of Kashmir into a one-sided moral tale palatable to the current Hindutva dispensation in India; Agnihotri appropriated Pandit sufferings to portray all Kashmiri Muslims as barbarian invaders, undeserving of any solidarity.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kaul |first=Nitasha |author-link=Nitasha Kaul |date=2022-03-24 |title=Kashmir is not a file: Propaganda and politics in India |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/kashmir-not-file-propaganda-and-politics-india-162236 |access-date=27 April 2022 |website=[[The News Minute]] |archive-date=22 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422023257/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/kashmir-not-file-propaganda-and-politics-india-162236 |url-status=live }}</ref> Alpana Kishore, one of the few journalists who had covered Kashmir in the 1990s (as part of [[Newstrack]]), found the film to be a set of factual episodes but strung together in a contextless fashion; Agnihotri did not bother to even portray the other side of the divide, and was brazen in pushing a pro-right agenda.<ref>{{Cite podcast |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFlkNiq9JKQ |title=The Kashmir Files, reportage on the Kashmiri Pandits, Congress party’s survival |website=Hafta |publisher=[[Newslaundry]] |host=Abhinandan Sekhri |date=26 March 2022 |time=26:33 |access-date=9 April 2022 |archive-date=3 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403204801/https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=wFlkNiq9JKQ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Suparna Sharma, reviewing for [[Rolling Stone|''Rolling Stone India'']], panned the film with a rating of 1 out of 5 stars: "neither cinematic nor historical", Agnihotri simply attempted to weaponize the tragedy of Kashmiri Pandits in pandering to the current sociopolitical climate. Uninterested in nuance and context, dripping with gore, and pushing an overt pro-right agenda, it was not even well made propaganda.<ref name="Rolling Stone India">{{Cite web |date=2022-03-23 |title=The Tragedy of 'The Kashmir Files' |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/the-tragedy-of-the-kashmir-files-film-review/ |access-date=2022-05-02 |website=My Site |archive-date=12 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512135331/https://rollingstoneindia.com/the-tragedy-of-the-kashmir-files-film-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Writing for ''[[The Outlook Magazine]]'', Ashutosh Bharadwaj noted the movie to be deeply insensitive to Muslim claims and memories concerning the exodus; it bore evidence of India's refashioning into a Hindu majoritarian state.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhardwaj |first=Ashutosh |date=2022-04-01 |title=Kashmir Files: Flawed Narratives Of The Fault Lines |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/national/kashmir-files-flawed-narratives-of-the-fault-lines-magazine-189315 |access-date=2022-05-03 |website=Outlook |archive-date=4 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504081043/https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/national/kashmir-files-flawed-narratives-of-the-fault-lines-magazine-189315 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ali |first=Yaqut |date=24 March 2022 |title=Watch {{!}} 'The Kashmir Files': Reality or Fantasy? |url=https://thewire.in/communalism/watch-the-kashmir-files-reality-or-fantasy |access-date=2022-04-10 |website=The Wire |archive-date=10 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410110705/https://thewire.in/communalism/watch-the-kashmir-files-reality-or-fantasy |url-status=live }}</ref> Anuj Kumar reviewing for ''[[The Hindu]]'' described the film as being composed of "some facts, some half-truths, and plenty of distortions" with brutally intense visualisations and compelling performances, aimed at inciting hatred against Muslims.<ref name="Anuj Kumar" />

In contrast, [[Stutee Ghosh]], reviewing for ''[[The Quint]]'', rated the film 3.5 out of 5 and found the film to have made a compelling case for Kashmiri pandits and their "hitherto unaddressed wounds" but wished for more nuance; the cinematography (especially the colour palette), Anupam Kher's acting, and realist depictions were praised in particular.<ref name="Quint review">{{Cite news |last=Ghosh |first=Stutee |author-link=Stutee Ghosh |date=10 March 2022 |title=Review: 'The Kashmir Files' Makes a Compelling Case For Kashmiri Pandits |website=[[The Quint]] |url=https://www.thequint.com/amp/story/entertainment/movie-reviews/the-kashmir-files-review-vivek-agnihotri-anupam-kher-mithun-chakraborty |url-status=live |access-date=11 March 2022 |archive-date=11 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311055820/https://www.thequint.com/amp/story/entertainment/movie-reviews/the-kashmir-files-review-vivek-agnihotri-anupam-kher-mithun-chakraborty }}</ref> Likewise, Jagadish Angadi of ''[[Deccan Herald]]'' was effusive in his praise — Agnihotri's use of non-linear narratives and strong dialogues, enviable background research, and strong individual performances produced an "intense watch".<ref name="TKFDH">{{Cite news |last=Angadi |first=Jagadish |date=12 March 2022 |title='The Kashmir Files' movie review: Anupam Kher is brilliant in this heart-wrenching story |website=[[Deccan Herald]] |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/the-kashmir-files-movie-review-anupam-kher-is-brilliant-in-this-heart-wrenching-story-1090519.html |url-status=live |access-date=12 March 2022 |archive-date=12 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220312115033/https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/the-kashmir-files-movie-review-anupam-kher-is-brilliant-in-this-heart-wrenching-story-1090519.html }}</ref> Avinash Lohana of ''[[Pinkvilla]]'' rated the film 3 out of 5 stars, praising the cast performances—particularly that of Kher—and the behind-the-scenes research, but criticised the lack of balance.<ref name="pinkvilla2">{{Cite news |last=Lohana |first=Avinash |date=11 March 2022 |title=The Kashmir Files Review: Anupam Kher shines in the film that creates an impact but lacks balance |website=[[Pinkvilla]] |url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/reviews/kashmir-files-review-anupam-kher-shines-film-creates-impact-lacks-balance-1042736 |url-status=live |access-date=12 March 2022 |archive-date=11 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311192805/https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/reviews/kashmir-files-review-anupam-kher-shines-film-creates-impact-lacks-balance-1042736 }}</ref> Rohit Bhatnagar of ''[[The Free Press Journal]]'' found the screenplay and the individual performances to be sloppy, thus failing to make any mark; however, he admired the effort that went behind the film and rated it 2.5 out of 5 stars.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhatnagar |first=Rohit |date=11 March 2022 |title=The Kashmir Files review: A preachy tale of facts that lacks attention |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/bollywood/the-kashmir-files-review-a-preachy-tale-of-facts-that-lacks-attention |access-date=12 March 2022 |website=The Free Press Journal |archive-date=15 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221015041457/https://www.freepressjournal.in/bollywood/the-kashmir-files-review-a-preachy-tale-of-facts-that-lacks-attention |url-status=live }}</ref>

The film was an entry at the [[53rd International Film Festival of India]], held in Goa in November 2022.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |date=23 October 2022 |title='The Kashmir Files' selected for International Film Festival of India |work=The Statesman |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/entertainment/the-kashmir-files-selected-for-international-film-festival-of-india-1503124488.html |access-date=28 November 2022 |archive-date=28 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128194536/https://www.thestatesman.com/entertainment/the-kashmir-files-selected-for-international-film-festival-of-india-1503124488.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Chosen for screening at the ''Indian Panorama'' section, it failed to win any award but sparked adverse reaction from the jury.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":02">{{Cite news |last1=Schmall |first1=Emily |last2=Kumar |first2=Hari |date=29 November 2022 |title=Israeli Filmmaker's Critique of Popular Bollywood Film Draws Fierce Backlash |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/29/world/asia/india-film-kashmir-files.html |access-date=29 November 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=29 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129151035/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/29/world/asia/india-film-kashmir-files.html |url-status=live }}</ref>  

[[Nadav Lapid]], the chief juror, assessing the submissions in a closing speech, singled out the film for pointed criticism: it was "vulgar propaganda", he said, and an "inappropriate [submission]", which had shocked his fellow jury members.<ref name=":02" /> In subsequent interviews, Lapid doubled down, highlighting how every single minute of the film could be used as case-exhibits for cinematic propaganda in film studies.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-30 |title=נדב לפיד בריאיון אחרי סערת הענק בהודו: "השגריר לא הפנים מהו חופש" |url=https://www.mako.co.il/news-entertainment/2022_q4/Article-6160d06bf57c481027.htm |access-date=2022-12-03 |website=mako |archive-date=3 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203180250/https://www.mako.co.il/news-entertainment/2022_q4/Article-6160d06bf57c481027.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Faced with opposition from the Hindu Right, who accused Lapid of denying the [[exodus of Kashmiri Hindus]], he emphasized that the film was not equivalent to the tragedy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Watch {{!}} Stand Behind Every Word I Said About 'Kashmir Files': IFFI Jury Head Nadav Lapid |url=https://thewire.in/video/watch-nadav-lapid-karan-thapar-the-kashmir-files |access-date=2022-12-03 |website=The Wire |archive-date=3 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203152151/https://thewire.in/video/watch-nadav-lapid-karan-thapar-the-kashmir-files |url-status=live }}</ref> Days later, Lapid's fellow jurors — Pascal Chavance, Jinko Gotoh, Sudipto Sen, and Javier Angulo Barturen — came out in support of Lapid's observations; Chavance, in particular, noted how the monolithic caricaturish portrayal of Muslims gave away the film's intentions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Farcis |first=Sébastien |title=En Inde, scandale autour de la critique d'un film sur le Cachemire |url=https://www.liberation.fr/international/asie-pacifique/en-inde-scandale-autour-de-la-critique-dun-film-sur-le-cachemire-20221203_4FE4JGAIGVF7VMSHNXYNJUUXPY/ |access-date=2022-12-03 |website=Libération |language=fr |archive-date=3 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203152128/https://www.liberation.fr/international/asie-pacifique/en-inde-scandale-autour-de-la-critique-dun-film-sur-le-cachemire-20221203_4FE4JGAIGVF7VMSHNXYNJUUXPY/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Reception among Pandits has been mixed with some regarding the film to be a cathartic experience<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thusoo |first=Sumati |date=2022-03-15 |title=The Kashmir Files: This Cathartic Film Is Not Without Its Prejudices |url=https://www.thequint.com/voices/opinion/the-kashmir-files-this-cathartic-film-is-not-without-its-prejudices |access-date=2022-04-10 |website=The Quint |archive-date=10 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410115109/https://www.thequint.com/voices/opinion/the-kashmir-files-this-cathartic-film-is-not-without-its-prejudices |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gigoo |first=Siddhartha |date=2022-03-15 |title=The Kashmir Files: Cinema As Testimony |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/the-kashmir-files-cinema-as-testimony-news-186885 |access-date=27 April 2022 |website=Outlook |archive-date=27 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220427071636/https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/the-kashmir-files-cinema-as-testimony-news-186885 |url-status=live }}</ref> while others have been critical.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Ashutosh |date=2022-03-28 |title=Bitter And Divided: 'Kashmir Files' Fuels Polarisation In The Displaced Pandit Community |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/national/bitter-and-divided-kashmir-files-fuels-polarisation-in-the-displaced-pandit-community-news-188899 |access-date=27 April 2022 |website=Outlook |archive-date=27 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220427071618/https://www.outlookindia.com/national/bitter-and-divided-kashmir-files-fuels-polarisation-in-the-displaced-pandit-community-news-188899 |url-status=live }}</ref> Journalist [[Rahul Pandita]], who fled from [[Srinagar]] during the exodus, said that the experience for Pandits watching the film was like "an emotional catharsis."<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-03-15 |title=Kashmir Files: Vivek Agnihotri's film exposes India's new fault lines |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-60732939 |access-date=2022-05-17 |archive-date=27 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220427045135/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-60732939 |url-status=live }}</ref> A Kashmiri Hindu immigrant to [[New Zealand]] told [[Stuff (website)|''Stuff'']] that ''The Kashmir Files'' was a good representation of the exodus, requesting that Muslims watch it to understand the other side of the conflict.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=Arvind |date=2022-03-22 |title='The Kashmir Files' not a fictional movie, says New Zealand's Hindu community |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/tarana/128120899/the-kashmir-files-not-a-fictional-movie-says-new-zealands-hindu-community |access-date=2022-05-17 |website=Stuff |archive-date=23 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323230337/https://www.stuff.co.nz/tarana/128120899/the-kashmir-files-not-a-fictional-movie-says-new-zealands-hindu-community |url-status=live }}</ref> President of the Kashmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti (KPSS) Sanjay Tickoo criticized the movie for its misrepresentations and added that this movie is making Kashmir Pandits feel unsafe in the [[Kashmir Valley]].<ref>{{cite web | title=The Kashmir Files making resident Kashmiri Pandits feel unsafe | website=NewsClick | date=2022-03-17 | url=https://www.newsclick.in/The-Kashmir-Files-making-resident-Kashmiri-Pandits-feel-unsafe | access-date=30 November 2022 | archive-date=30 November 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130174115/https://www.newsclick.in/The-Kashmir-Files-making-resident-Kashmiri-Pandits-feel-unsafe | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Kashmiri Pandits Refute Communal Claims Made in The Kashmir Files | website=NewsClick | date=2022-03-21 | url=https://www.newsclick.in/Kashmiri-Pandits-Refute-Communal-Claims-Made-The-Kashmir-Files | access-date=30 November 2022 | archive-date=30 November 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130174113/https://www.newsclick.in/Kashmiri-Pandits-Refute-Communal-Claims-Made-The-Kashmir-Files | url-status=live }}</ref>

The film's director Vivek Agnihotri claims the film to be a depiction of the "truth of Kashmir",<ref name="Rohmetra">{{Cite news |last=Rohmetra |first=Amogh |date=13 March 2022 |title=The Kashmir Files tries showing 1990 exodus 'truth' but Vivek Agnihotri gives it death blow |newspaper=The Print |url=https://theprint.in/features/reel-take/the-kashmir-files-tries-showing-1990-exodus-truth-but-vivek-agnihotri-gives-it-death-blow/871254 |access-date=27 April 2022 |archive-date=25 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425153340/https://theprint.in/features/reel-take/the-kashmir-files-tries-showing-1990-exodus-truth-but-vivek-agnihotri-gives-it-death-blow/871254/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Roy Chowdhury"/> when "terrorism seep[ed] in and humanity [was] absent".<ref name="NewYorker-21Jun22">{{Cite magazine |last=Chotiner |first=Isaac |date=21 June 2022 |title=What a Disturbing New Film Reveals About Modi's India |url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/q-and-a/what-a-disturbing-new-film-reveals-about-modis-india |access-date=22 June 2022 |magazine=[[The New Yorker]] |archive-date=21 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220621162744/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/q-and-a/what-a-disturbing-new-film-reveals-about-modis-india |url-status=live }}</ref> Its key message — in line with Hindu Right views on the issue — is that what is known as the [[exodus of Kashmiri Pandits]] was actually a "genocide" which was kept out of history textbooks and mainstream discourse deliberately.<ref name="Shilajit Mitra"/><ref name="Ipsita Chakravarty">{{Cite web |last=Chakravarty |first=Ipsita |date=19 March 2022 |title=Here are five things 'The Kashmir Files' gets wrong about Kashmir |url=https://scroll.in/article/1019863/here-are-five-things-the-kashmir-files-gets-wrong-about-kashmir |access-date=2022-03-19 |website=Scroll.in |archive-date=19 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319145249/https://scroll.in/article/1019863/here-are-five-things-the-kashmir-files-gets-wrong-about-kashmir |url-status=live }}</ref> This was achieved by selecting several horrific events known to have occurred over a period of a decade and half, and then depicting them as happening in the course of about a year to one single fictitious family<ref name="Roy Chowdhury"/> – a "fictional take on real events", as one reviewer labelled it.<ref>Mona, [https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/reviews/story/vivek-ranjan-agnihotris-the-kashmir-files-is-a-brutally-honest-take-377416 Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri's The Kashmir Files is a ‘brutally’ honest take] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512113753/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/reviews/story/vivek-ranjan-agnihotris-the-kashmir-files-is-a-brutally-honest-take-377416 |date=12 May 2022 }}, The Tribune (Chandigarh), 13 March 2022.</ref>

The film's exclusive focus on violence of Muslims on Hindus—with limited attention given to the overall [[Human rights abuses in Jammu and Kashmir|history of human rights abuses in the state]]{{efn|Kashmiri Muslims were also killed during the insurgency,<ref name="Rohmetra" /> and in greater numbers, often at the hands of Indian security apparatus.<ref name="Ipsita Chakravarty" /><ref>{{Citation |last=Bose |first=Sumantra |title=Kashmir at the Crossroads, Inside a 21st-Century Conflict. |page=92 |year=2020 |publisher=Yale University Press |isbn=978-0-300-25687-1 |quote=On 15 March 1990, by which time the Pandit exodus from the Valley was substantially complete, the All-India Kashmiri Pandit Conference, a community organisation, stated that thirty-two Pandits had been killed by militants since the previous autumn. This plausible figure amounted to a ''third'' of about one hundred targeted killings by JKLF militants since autumn 1989. (Emphasis added) |author-link=Sumantra Bose}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last1=Bose |first1=Tapan |title=India's 'Kashmir War' |date=31 March 1990 |journal=Economic and Political Weekly |volume=25 |number=13 |jstor=4396095 |quote=According to a breakdown of those killed by the militants so far, of the total 100, 32 were Hindus (from both the valley and outside) and the rest Muslims. |last2=Mohan |first2=Dinesh |last3=Navlakha |first3=Gautam |last4=Banerjee |first4=Sumanta |page=655}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title='The Kashmir Files' is Hindutva's latest anti-Muslim weapon |date=14 March 2022 |url=https://www.siasat.com/the-kashmir-files-is-hindutvas-latest-anti-muslim-weapon-2290523 |newspaper=The Siasat Daily |quote=It is to be noted that in response to a Right to Information (RTI) filed over the number of deaths of Kashmiri pandits killed by terrorists since the inception of militancy in 1990, the district police headquarters in Srinagar revealed official figures that state 89 casualties as compared to 1635 deaths of people of other faiths, during the same time. |access-date=14 March 2022 |archive-date=14 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314194637/https://www.siasat.com/the-kashmir-files-is-hindutvas-latest-anti-muslim-weapon-2290523/ |url-status=live }}</ref> According to the Indian Home Ministry's internal data, 1,583 Hindu civilians were killed in the conflict between 1988 and 2005, while the Muslim civilians killed in the same period numbered 12,245.<ref>{{Citation |last=Swami |first=Praveen |author-link=Praveen Swami |title=India, Pakistan and the Secret Jihad: The covert war in Kashmir, 1947–2004 |series=Asian Security Studies |publisher=Routledge |year=2007 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z2l9AgAAQBAJ&pg=PA175 |isbn=978-0-415-40459-4 |page=175 |access-date=25 March 2022 |archive-date=14 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314152555/https://books.google.com/books?id=z2l9AgAAQBAJ&pg=PA175 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}—and especially, the painting of all Muslims as active or passive participants in the exodus has been seen as promoting [[Islamophobia]] and aiding a [[Hindu nationalism|Hindu Nationalist]] cause.<ref name="Roy Chowdhury" /><ref name="Rohmetra" /><ref name="Hindu Islamophobia">{{Citation |last=Kumar |first=Anuj |title='The Kashmir Files' movie review: A disturbing take which grips and gripes in turns |date=14 March 2022 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/the-kashmir-files-movie-review-a-disturbing-take-which-grips-and-gripes-in-turns/article65223787.ece |newspaper=The Hindu |quote=Employing some facts, some half-truths, and plenty of distortions, [the film] propels an alternative view about the Kashmir issue, with the intent to not just provoke... but incite.... In Agnihotri’s documentation, terror has a religion and it appears every Muslim in Kashmir has been a separatist and keen to convert Hindus to Islam.... One fears, in the name of street justice, the clippings of the film will soon end up in social media to fuel further hate against one community. |access-date=27 April 2022 |archive-date=14 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314184836/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/the-kashmir-files-movie-review-a-disturbing-take-which-grips-and-gripes-in-turns/article65223787.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> The film has also faced charges of [[historical revisionism]] and unnuanced storytelling.<ref name="CNN-28Apr22" /><ref name="BBC News2" /><ref name="Roy Chowdhury" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Barton |first=Naomi |date=20 March 2022 |title='The Kashmir Files' Uses Kashmiri Pandits For Propaganda, and Hates Muslims |url=https://thewire.in/film/the-kashmir-files-propaganda-anti-muslim |access-date=2022-03-24 |website=The Wire |archive-date=22 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322194039/https://thewire.in/film/the-kashmir-files-propaganda-anti-muslim |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Shubhra Gupta" /><ref name="Rahul Desai" /><ref>{{Citation |first=Anuj |last=Kumar |title='The Kashmir Files' movie review: A disturbing take which grips and gripes in turns |newspaper=The Hindu |date=14 March 2022 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/the-kashmir-files-movie-review-a-disturbing-take-which-grips-and-gripes-in-turns/article65223787.ece |quote=The Kashmiri Pandits’ pain is real and should be expressed in popular culture, but it deserved a more nuanced, more objective take rather than the 'us vs them' worldview that Agnithotri has propagated over 170 minutes.... There is no middle ground for him, as he picks and chooses instances from the past to suit his narrative. |access-date=14 March 2022 |archive-date=14 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314184836/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/the-kashmir-files-movie-review-a-disturbing-take-which-grips-and-gripes-in-turns/article65223787.ece |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mitra |first=Shilajit |date=12 March 2022 |title=Kashmir Files, A limp attempt at provocation |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2022/mar/12/movie-review-kashmir-files-a-limp-attempt-at-provocation-2429076.html |access-date=12 March 2022 |website=The New Indian Express |quote=... there is not a single moderate [Muslim] in The Kashmir Files.... The fact that no conflict is unidimensional, that there can be multiple oppressed groups in a region, simply doesn’t dawn on this film. |archive-date=12 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220312233944/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2022/mar/12/movie-review-kashmir-files-a-limp-attempt-at-provocation-2429076.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Siasat anti-Muslim">{{Citation |title='The Kashmir Files' is Hindutva's latest anti-Muslim weapon |date=14 March 2022 |url=https://www.siasat.com/the-kashmir-files-is-hindutvas-latest-anti-muslim-weapon-2290523 |newspaper=The Siasat Daily |quote=A film that is based on the tragedy and exodus of Kashmiri Pandits has instead managed to become a propaganda tool that is being used to rouse anti-Muslim and anti-Kashmiri passions in the country, adding to the current atmosphere of anti-minority hate that has permeated deep in society over the last eight years or so. |access-date=14 March 2022 |archive-date=14 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314194637/https://www.siasat.com/the-kashmir-files-is-hindutvas-latest-anti-muslim-weapon-2290523/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Several critics have compared Agnihotri with [[Leni Riefenstahl]], a [[Nazi propaganda|Nazi propagandist]].<ref name="Rahul Desai" /><ref name="Roy Chowdhury" /><ref name="Bhatia" /> Isaac Chotiner, interviewing Agnihotri for [[The New Yorker|''The New Yorker'']], summed up the work as an ahistorical exercise in "stigmatization and fearmongering".<ref name="NewYorker-21Jun22" /> In response to accusations of propaganda, Agnihotri said: "How can a film on terrorism be propaganda?", adding that "The film is only against terrorism. I have not criticized Muslims."<ref name="CNN-28Apr22" /> He also denied allegations that the film could create a divide between Hindus and Muslims, calling the allegations "agenda-driven".<ref name="CNN-28Apr22" />

Krishna's father is killed in the film while hiding in a container of rice, an event fashioned after the killing of telecommunications engineer B. K. Ganjoo in 1990.<ref name=Rohmetra/><ref name=Pandita/> But the additional portrayal of militants forcing his wife to eat the blood-soaked rice was rejected by Ganjoo's brother as 'fiction'; he emphasized that the family was never consulted while making the film.<ref name="Kak"/><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-10 |title=You know 'The Kashmir Files story' of BK Ganjoo. Now know his neighbour Abdul's |url=https://theprint.in/features/you-know-the-kashmir-files-story-of-bk-ganjoo-now-know-his-neighbour-abduls/947614/ |access-date=2022-05-22 |website=ThePrint |archive-date=13 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513085841/https://theprint.in/features/you-know-the-kashmir-files-story-of-bk-ganjoo-now-know-his-neighbour-abduls/947614/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Krishna's mother is raped and killed by cutting her with a mechanical saw, an event fashioned after the killing of unrelated Girija Tikoo, also in 1990.<ref name="Ipsita Chakravarty"/> This event juxtaposed in the film with a massacre fashioned after the [[2003 Nadimarg massacre]] in an entirely different time frame under the watch of a [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] government. The massacre is depicted in the film as occurring in broad daylight in front of Kashmiri Muslim neighbours as passive participants, in contrast to the real event which happened in the dead of night with silenced guns and no witnesses.<ref name="Ipsita Chakravarty"/> Sanjay Tikoo, the head of the Kashmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti, says, "that was not like that; ... no massacre of Kashmiri Pandits took place before [the eyes] of Kashmiri Muslims".<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yY43T8auqg The Kashmir Files: The Pandits who never left] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220506203854/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yY43T8auqg |date=6 May 2022 }}, Al Jazeera English, via YouTube, May 2022.</ref>

A [[Kashmiri separatist movement|Kashmiri separatist]] militant named Farooq Malik Bitta is depicted in the movie, fashioned after [[Farooq Ahmed Dar]] ("Bitta Karate") and [[Yasin Malik]] rolled into one. But he is also shown as being involved in the [[2003 Nadimarg massacre]], which was of neither's doing.<ref name="Rohmetra"/><ref name="Pandita">{{Cite news |last=Pandita |first=Rahul |author-link=Rahul Pandita |date=20 January 2014 |title=There are no goodbyes |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/there-are-no-goodbyes/article5594303.ece |access-date=15 March 2022 |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=14 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314200915/https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/there-are-no-goodbyes/article5594303.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> The facts of Bitta Karate's long years of incarceration despite a lack of conviction or Malik's eventual conversion to non-violent means of struggle are not mentioned.<ref name="Anuj Kumar"/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Pandita |first=Rahul |date=2016-04-21 |title=A cry for Pandits from down south |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/a-cry-for-kashmiri-pandits-from-down-south/article6305496.ece |access-date=2022-03-19 |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=19 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319131558/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/a-cry-for-kashmiri-pandits-from-down-south/article6305496.ece |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Ipsita Chakravarty" />

At the theatres, Hindutva activists raised slogans advocating for fatal violence against [[Kashmiri Muslims]] as well as [[Indian Muslims]] in general.<ref name="Roy Chowdhury" /><ref name="France24" /> In one instance, calls were made to "[s]hoot the traitors to the nation" by members of the [[Hindu Jagran Manch]], a member of the [[Sangh Parivar]].<ref name="Wire ID'd">{{citation |last1=Jafri |first1=Alishan |title=We ID'd Anti-Muslim Sloganeers at 'The Kashmir Files' Screenings. What We Found Won't Surprise You |date=22 March 2022 |url=https://thewire.in/communalism/kashmir-files-hindutva-anti-muslim-hate |newspaper=The Wire |access-date=27 April 2022 |last2=Raj |first2=Kaushik |archive-date=11 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411224303/https://thewire.in/communalism/kashmir-files-hindutva-anti-muslim-hate |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Tiwari |first1=Ayush |last2=Saxena |first2=Shivangi |last3=Kumar |first3=Basant |date=17 March 2022 |title=Slogans, swearing, the rare sensible take: We watched Kashmir Files at three NCR theatres |url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2022/03/17/slogans-swearing-the-rare-sensible-take-we-watched-kashmir-files-at-three-ncr-theatres |access-date=2022-04-02 |website=Newslaundry |archive-date=6 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406202127/https://www.newslaundry.com/2022/03/17/slogans-swearing-the-rare-sensible-take-we-watched-kashmir-files-at-three-ncr-theatres |url-status=live }}</ref> Agnihotri has defended such cases, citing [[Freedom of speech|freedom of expression]].<ref name="France24" /> In Jammu, a Kashmiri Pandit activist and his family were heckled by a mob of activists allegedly belonging to the BJP, for he had labelled the film exploitative of the Pandit community.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 March 2022 |others=PTI |title=Kashmiri Pandit Activist Alleges Harassment Over Remarks on 'The Kashmir Files' |url=https://thewire.in/rights/kashmiri-pandit-activist-alleges-harassment-over-remarks-on-the-kashmir-files |access-date=2022-04-27 |website=The Wire |archive-date=22 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322184421/https://thewire.in/rights/kashmiri-pandit-activist-alleges-harassment-over-remarks-on-the-kashmir-files |url-status=live }}</ref> Several videos that went viral on social media showed audience members calling for boycotts of Muslim-owned businesses.<ref name="CNN-28Apr22" /> Indian Muslim journalist [[Rana Ayyub]], felt humiliated and physically unsafe during a screening, and was yelled at by a man to go to Pakistan.<ref name="CNN-28Apr22" />

During the 2022 [[Ram Navami riots]], ''The Kashmir Files'' is seen to have played a role in inspiring [[communalism (South Asia)|communal passions]]. In [[2022 Khargone violence|Khargone]] in Madhya Pradesh, the scene of a woman being cut up by a mechanical saw was recreated with makeshift devices and emblazoned with the slogan, "Wake up Hindus, lest other states in India become Kashmir."<ref name="Supriya Sharma">Supriya Sharma, [https://scroll.in/article/1022860/how-kashmir-files-added-to-communal-fires-in-khargone-that-ended-with-bulldozer-injustice How ‘Kashmir Files’ added to communal fires in Khargone that ended with bulldozer injustice] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220506015031/https://scroll.in/article/1022860/how-kashmir-files-added-to-communal-fires-in-khargone-that-ended-with-bulldozer-injustice |date=6 May 2022 }}, Scroll.in, 29 April 2022.</ref> A [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] leader declared that, if Hindus did not draw the lesson from ''The Kashmir Files'', eventually similar films would need to be made about Delhi, Bengal, Kerala and Khargone.<ref name="Supriya Sharma"/> The film's version of truth that Muslims formed a blood-thirsty community whole-heartedly supporting militants' assaults was believed liable to be replicated in other parts of India.<ref name="Supriya Sharma"/> In the Uttarakhand's [[Roorkee]] region, people said that the film enthused them to fight for their "rights". They regarded the local Muslims as jihadis, who were conspiring against the Hindus and tearing the nation apart.<ref name="Sumedha Pal">Sumedha Pal, [https://thewire.in/communalism/roorkee-ground-report-kashmir-files-communal-hindutva Inspired by 'Kashmir Files', Hindutva Workers Threaten to Remove Muslims From Roorkee Village] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512204519/https://thewire.in/communalism/roorkee-ground-report-kashmir-files-communal-hindutva |date=12 May 2022 }}, The Wire, 19 April 2022.</ref>

''The Kashmir Files'' opened to box office with a slow start and competed with [[Prabhas]]-starrer ''[[Radhe Shyam]]'',<ref name="BollywoodHungama-19Mar22">{{Cite news |date=19 March 2022 |title=The Kashmir Files Box Office Estimate Day 9: The film collects Rs. 23.50 crores; has a shot of touching Rs. 300 crores |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/box-office-special-features/kashmir-files-box-office-estimate-day-9-film-collects-rs-23-50-crores-shot-touching-rs-300-crores/ |access-date=29 June 2022 |website=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |archive-date=23 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220423201141/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/box-office-special-features/kashmir-files-box-office-estimate-day-9-film-collects-rs-23-50-crores-shot-touching-rs-300-crores/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=12 March 2022 |title=Radhe Shyam faces rejection outside home states; The Kashmir Files surprises with a good opening day |url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/box-office/radhe-shyam-faces-rejection-outside-home-states-kashmir-files-surprises-good-opening-day-1044219 |access-date=29 June 2022 |website=[[Pinkvilla]] |archive-date=29 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629101452/https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/box-office/radhe-shyam-faces-rejection-outside-home-states-kashmir-files-surprises-good-opening-day-1044219 |url-status=live }}</ref> which was released on the same day, but has quickly gained higher share of collections within days.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 March 2022 |title='Radhe Shyam' does very well in Telugu, but loses in Bollywood |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/130322/radhe-shyam-does-very-well-in-telugu-but-loses-in-bollywood.html |access-date=29 June 2022 |website=[[Deccan Chronicle]] |archive-date=29 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629101452/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/130322/radhe-shyam-does-very-well-in-telugu-but-loses-in-bollywood.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The film recorded an earnings of {{INRConvert|3.55|c}}, {{INRConvert|8.5|c}} and {{INRConvert|15.1|c}} in India respectively on its first three days, taking its opening weekend collection to {{INRConvert|27.15|c}} and an estimated {{INRConvert|5|c}} in India and overseas, respectively.<ref name="bo" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=14 March 2022 |title=The Kashmir Files collects approx. 653k USD [Rs. 5 cr.] in overseas |website=Bollywood Hungama |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/box-office-overseas/kashmir-files-collects-approx-653k-usd-rs-5-cr-overseas/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 March 2022 |archive-date=15 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315061138/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/box-office-overseas/kashmir-files-collects-approx-653k-usd-rs-5-cr-overseas/ }}</ref> After the response from the first two days, the screens were increased to 2,000 on 13 March 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 March 2022 |title=The Kashmir Files Box Office: Film's shows increased from 600 to 2000 after stupendous response |website=Bollywood Hungama |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/box-office-special-features/kashmir-files-box-office-films-shows-increased-600-2000-stupendous-response |url-status=live |access-date=14 March 2022 |archive-date=14 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314070147/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/box-office-special-features/kashmir-files-box-office-films-shows-increased-600-2000-stupendous-response/ }}</ref> With a collections growth of 323% on its first Monday compared to the release day, the film broke the record for the highest increase in collections for an Indian film on its first Monday.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 March 2022 |title=The Kashmir Files Box Office: Vivek Agnihotri's directorial survives Khooni Monday test; shows 323% growth and claims the no. 1 spot |website=Bollywood Hungama |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/box-office-special-features/kashmir-files-box-office-vivek-agnihotris-directorial-survives-khooni-monday-test-shows-323-growth-claims-no-1-spot/ |url-status=live |access-date=19 March 2022 |archive-date=18 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318095858/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/box-office-special-features/kashmir-files-box-office-vivek-agnihotris-directorial-survives-khooni-monday-test-shows-323-growth-claims-no-1-spot/ }}</ref> At the end of the first week, the film earned {{INRConvert|97.3|c}} at the Indian box office.<ref name="bo" />

After the response from the first week, the screens were increased to 4,000 by 18 March.<ref name="Bollywood Hungama screens" /> In an interview with ''The New Yorker'' in June 2022, Agnihotri stated that ZEE Studios did not have faith in the film and thus the production studio had only released the film in 400 screens; and that the increase in the shows was in response to the audience demand. However, ZEE Studios clarified that the gradual increase in the number of screens was a "pre-decided business strategy" which was also agreed upon by the director.<ref name="NewYorker-21Jun22" />

The film emerged as a box-office success within its first two days of release.<ref name="boi1">{{citation |title=The Kashmir Files Is Another Gadar – On Its Way To Create HISTORY |date=14 March 2022 |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=6738 |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=14 March 2022 |archive-date=14 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314084717/https://www.boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=6738 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="boi2">{{cite news |date=14 March 2022 |title=The Kashmir Records Fantastic Weekend – Set For Extraordinary Run |publisher=Box Office India |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=6736 |access-date=14 March 2022 |archive-date=14 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314071441/https://www.boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=6736 |url-status=live }}</ref> It received massive push in the form of government support, national news coverage, social media forwards and [[word of mouth]]<ref name="BollywoodHungama-19Mar22" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=18 March 2022 |title=The Kashmir Files box office collection day 7: Vivek Agnihotri's film hours away from crossing Rs 100 crore mark |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/the-kashmir-files-box-office-collection-day-7-vivek-agnihotri-film-rs-100-crore-mark-7825646/ |access-date=29 June 2022 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |archive-date=31 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531085353/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/the-kashmir-files-box-office-collection-day-7-vivek-agnihotri-film-rs-100-crore-mark-7825646/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and rode on them following its opening weekend.<ref name="HindustanTimes-26Mar22" /> By the end of April, according to [[Bollywood Hungama|''Bollywood Hungama'']]{{'s}} estimates, the film grossed {{INRConvert|297.53|c}} in India and {{INRConvert|43.39|c}} overseas, for a worldwide gross collection of {{INRConvert|340.92|c}},<ref name="bo">{{Cite web |title=The Kashmir Files Box Office |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/the-kashmir-files/box-office |access-date=6 May 2022 |website=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |archive-date=4 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504153908/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/the-kashmir-files/box-office/ |url-status=live }}</ref> making it the [[List of Hindi films of 2022#Box office collection|third highest grossing Hindi film of 2022]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Worldwide Highest Grossing Bollywood Movies on 2022 - Bollywood Hungama |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/box-office-collections/worldwide/ |access-date=21 January 2023 |website=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |language=en |archive-date=23 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623035055/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/box-office-collections/worldwide/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It was the first movie to cross the figure of {{INRConvert|250|c}} in the aftermath of [[COVID-19 pandemic in India]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 April 2022 |title=Kashmir Files: Vivek Agnihotri's becomes first Hindi film to cross Rs 250 crore mark in pandemic era |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/entertainment/kashmir-files-vivek-agnihotris-becomes-first-hindi-film-to-cross-rs-250-crore-mark-in-pandemic-era/2489496/ |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=The Financial Express |publisher=The Indian Express |archive-date=13 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413150236/https://www.financialexpress.com/entertainment/kashmir-files-vivek-agnihotris-becomes-first-hindi-film-to-cross-rs-250-crore-mark-in-pandemic-era/2489496/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=24 March 2022 |others=ANI |title=The Kashmir Files hits yet another milestone, enters Rs 200-crore club |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/entertainment/the-kashmir-files-hits-yet-another-milestone-enters-rs-200-crore-club-122032400570_1.html |access-date=2022-04-17 |newspaper=Business Standard India |archive-date=17 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417032111/https://www.business-standard.com/article/entertainment/the-kashmir-files-hits-yet-another-milestone-enters-rs-200-crore-club-122032400570_1.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The film became a major competitor for the [[Akshay Kumar]]-starrer ''[[Bachchhan Paandey]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 March 2022 |title=The Kashmir Files Box Office Estimate Day 9: The film collects Rs. 23.50 crores; has a shot of touching Rs. 300 crores |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/box-office-special-features/kashmir-files-box-office-estimate-day-9-film-collects-rs-23-50-crores-shot-touching-rs-300-crores/ |access-date=17 June 2022 |website=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |archive-date=23 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220423201141/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/box-office-special-features/kashmir-files-box-office-estimate-day-9-film-collects-rs-23-50-crores-shot-touching-rs-300-crores/ |url-status=live }}</ref> which was released one week after ''The Kashmir Files'', and eroded its box office collections.<ref name="HindustanTimes-26Mar22">{{Cite news |last=Mathur |first=Abhimanyu |date=26 March 2022 |title=The Kashmir Files' box office success decoded: How news, social media, word of mouth scripted an unlikely success story |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/the-kashmir-files-box-office-success-decoded-how-news-social-media-word-of-mouth-scripted-an-unlikely-success-story-101648227536467.html |access-date=17 June 2022 |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |archive-date=21 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721042718/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/the-kashmir-files-box-office-success-decoded-how-news-social-media-word-of-mouth-scripted-an-unlikely-success-story-101648227536467.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The music of the film is composed by [[Rohit Sharma (composer)|Rohit Sharma]] and [[Swapnil Bandodkar]].<ref name="jiosaavn">{{cite web |date=19 April 2022 |title=The Kashmir Files – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack |url=https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/sounds-of-the-kashmir-files/k3aGRTfw7u0_ |publisher=Jiosaavn |access-date=19 April 2022 |archive-date=22 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422034000/https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/sounds-of-the-kashmir-files/k3aGRTfw7u0_ |url-status=live }}</ref>