The Ohio State Senate awarded film director Vivek Agnihotri a citation in recognition of his film The Kashmir Files. Ohio, state senator Neeraj Atani said the citation honored Agnihotri for his work on The Kashmir File, which depicts the exclusion of Kashmiri scholars from their origins. Atani is the first Indian American and Hindu American state senator in Ohio history.
The citation, which is jointly signed by Senator Matt Huffman, president of the Ohio Senate and Atani says, “The writer and director of The Kashmir Files, you are deserving of high praise for you have a special gift that has, no doubt, brought joy to those with whom you have shared your talents. Indeed, you have sought to craft a film with universal appeal that speaks to a matter of great historical importance, the forced exodus of the Kashmiri Pandits and you can be justifiably proud of your accomplishments.”
Adding the citation also says, “Your inspiring vision and sophisticated artistry have enabled you to contribute something of precious and enduring value, and you can be assured that your creative talents are of enormous pride to your family and friends who have supported you along the way.”
Kashmir Files is a film based on the 1990s Kashmiri Pandit exodus, starring Anupam Kher, Darshan Kumar, Mithun Chakraborty and Pallavi Joshi. The movie has now crossed Rs 250 crore in India.