Mumbai, January 19: Filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, renowned for his bold storytelling and unflinching portrayal of societal truths, has once again brought attention to one of modern India’s darkest chapters. On the 34th anniversary of the Kashmiri Pandit exodus, Agnihotri shared a poignant animated image on Instagram, depicting a Hindu family fleeing their ancestral home amid brutal violence.
The post captures the harrowing moment when terror gripped the Kashmir Valley on January 19, 1990. Families were forced to abandon their lifelong homes, choosing between conversion, death, or exile. Agnihotri’s caption reads: ‘Today is January 19. The day Kashmiri Hindus were forced to leave their ancestral homes. This is to remind you that even 36 years later, they cannot return home and live in exile in their own country.’
This evocative reminder echoes the themes of his blockbuster film ‘The Kashmir Files,’ released in March 2022. Made on a modest budget of 15-20 crores, the movie shattered box office records, grossing over 350 crores worldwide. It shed light on the genocide and mass displacement of Kashmiri Pandits, a narrative long buried under political silence.
Despite facing accusations of propaganda and boycott calls from certain platforms, the film’s raw authenticity resonated deeply. States across India declared it tax-free, fueling its meteoric rise. Agnihotri’s work continues to stir national discourse, with users flooding his post with comments like ‘Never forgive. Never forget.’
The exodus of 1990 remains a wound that festers. Over 3 lakh Pandits were uprooted, their culture nearly erased from the Valley. Today, as Agnihotri reignites the memory, questions loom: Will justice ever be served? Can the displaced return with dignity? The filmmaker’s call serves as both lament and urgent plea for remembrance and restitution.