New Zealand censor board puts stay on release of ‘The Kashmir Files’

New Delhi: 'The Kashmir Files' and its director Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri have been the peak of subject of talks amongst the Indian public since even before its release. While the movie has met with unanimous praise from the public, it has nonetheless fostered anger among certain people. The New Zealand censor board's stay on release of the film is the latest example by certain sections to block the film.

The New Zealand censor board put on hold the release after some community groups approached the board complaining about the film's content.

The film had received a certificate that allows individuals above the age of 16 and over to view it. However, now the board wants to review the certification.

In a tweet, filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri appealed to Indians in New Zealand to stay united and oppose moves to block the film's release.

"IMPORTANT & URGENT: Some communal groups are trying to put pressure on New Zealand Censor to ban The Kashmir Files request all Indians to be united and oppose this undemocratic tactic by radicals with utmost humility and release this film about HUMANITY and HUMAN RIGHTS," he posted.

An online petition has also been started by Indians in New Zealand for release of the film. The petition reads "Organisations with malicious intents are blocking the release of the film in New Zealand. We need to show support for release of the film to show the truth, which has not been blocked in any country of the world."

With death threats issued at the director, the Indian government is reported to have granted 'Y' category security and CRPF cover pan India to Agnihotri.

The filmmaker, along with his wife and actor Pallavi Joshi, actor Anupam Kher, and others from the film unit met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday.

The movie has received the support of the several BJP state governments such as Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Haryana and Tripura making the film tax free while there is a call in other BJP and even non BJP states to do the same.

The film has also done extremely successful business, going housefull in almost every theatre and even grossing over Rs.100 crore in a week, surpassing expectations and greatly surpassing the lifetime collection of its predecessor “The Tashkent Files”.

Zee Studios in a tweet reposted by Vivek Agnihotri on his Happy Holi tweet today confirmed that the movie has managed to earn over Rs.106.80 crores in seven days worldwide. (UNI)