Based on the mass exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the valley, the trailer of Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s much-awaited upcoming film “Shikara: The Untold Story of Kashmiri Pandits” has been released. The film tells the story of around 4,00,000 Kashmiri Pandits who had to fled the Valley in 1990.
Talking about Shikara, the filmmaker said, “This is a story about a Kashmiri Pandit couple, some 30 years ago. Their story starts in 1987 when everything was fine. From 1989 till today, it has been that couple’s story. It is the story of their 30 years’ journey and the story of India as well. It took me a lot of time and effort to make this film, and it is the story of all those people who have been refugees in their own country over the last three decades.”
At the trailer launch of his upcoming film Shikara: The Untold Story of Kashmiri Pandits, filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra said he condemns all kinds of violence — the one that is taking place today, and the one that happened in Kashmir 30 years ago. Chopra was referring to the horrific Kashmiri Pandit exodus from Kashmir that happened on January 19, 1990, which is the subject of his new film.
The film introduces two new faces: Sadia and Aadil Khan. The trailer launch on Tuesday, also saw a rare appearance by AR Rahman, who has scored the music of the film, along with the cast.
The trailer starts with a scene showing a young couple, Shanti Dhar and Shiv Kumar Dhar, sitting inside their home when they see a house burning from their window. It is then showed how Kashmiri Pandits were forced to leave the Valley.
Shikara is set to hit screens on February 7. The film has been largely shot in Kashmir. The film is being promoted as a story of a love that remains unextinguished through 30 years of exile.
In 1990, more than 4,00,000 Kashmiri Pandits were forced to leave their homes in the Valley.
Recently, the makers of the film released a motion poster of the film and wrote, “Tees saal baad, humari kahani kahi jayegi… Here is a timeless love story in the worst of times. (sic)”