The Kashmir Files Unreported Review: Hard-hitting account of a gruesome tragedy

Vivek Agnihotri gave proof of his abilities as a director when The Kashmir Files (2022) emerged as a blockbuster and received rave reviews. It was a hard-hitting feature film that revolved around the genocide of Kashmiri Pandits in Kashmir in the 1990s.

Agnihotri's latest offering The Kashmir Files Unreported, a 7-episode documentary series, revisits the tragedy through interviews of those affected by the tragedy. Its trailer suggested that the docu-series would be a hard-hitting, haunting and emotionally gripping account of one of the darkest chapters of Indian history. So, did The Kashmir Files Unreported live up to these expectations? 

3 things you need to know

• The Kashmir Files Unreported tries to critically examine the role played by politicians during the exodus of Hindus from the Valley.
• The docu-series is biting yet sensitive in its portrayal.
• It is well-researched and dives deep into one of the darkest chapters of Indian history.

Hot Take

Given the complex nature of the 'Kashmir issue', a documentary on it could have easily ended up being a mere compilation of political jargon. This, however, doesn't happen in The Kashmir Files Unreported. Vivek Agnihotri, right from the word go manages to highlight the human cost of genocide through moving interviews. He manages to narrate the history of Kashmir in a manner that is easy to follow.

Does The Kashmir Files Unreported live up to the hype?

The Kashmir Files Unreported begins with a heartbreaking interview in which a Kashmiri Pandit recalls how he lost his parents as a child during the genocide. It is then revealed that he came to comprehend the full gravity of what had happened only after growing up. This manages to highlight how the tragedy ruined childhoods and wiped out families.

In another equally haunting interview, a man reveals that he had to abort his child because the family wasn't sure if they would be able to take care of the baby under the prevailing circumstances.

The plight of Kashmiri Pandits 

Vivek Agnihotri goes on to examine the challenges faced by Kashmiri Pandits in the region on a daily basis. This is accomplished through interviews where women claim that they have 'internalised' the harassment coming their way.

There are political undertones

The Kashmir Files Unreported also tries to critically examine the role played by politicians, the media and even the United Nations Organisation in setting the stage for the genocide. This is accomplished through a series of burning questions and biting interviews with those thoroughly familiar with the issue. There's also an attempt to trace how the seeds of the Kashmir issue were laid during Independence. This adds depth to the documentary series.

(The Kashmir Files Unreported is streaming on Zee5 | Image: YouTube/Screengrab)

The Kashmir Files Unreported features clips from The Kashmir Files. These, however, are not integral to the series. The documentary series caters primarily to a Hindi-speaking audience. Interviews in English are dubbed over. 

Watch it or skip it?

The Kashmir Files Unreported makes for a compelling watch mainly because of the biting yet sensitive manner in which it deals with a real-life tragedy. The research and effort Vivek and Pallavi Joshi put into it further make it something that cannot be missed.

The Bottomline

The Kashmir Files Unreported is a raw documentary series that bears testimony to Vivek and Pallavi's dedication to their craft.

Rating: 3.5/5