Film – No Fathers In Kashmir Review

Film – No Fathers In Kashmir
Cast – Zara Webb, Shivam Raina, Ashvin Kumar, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Natasha Mago, Soni Razdan, Anshuman Jha
Direction – Ashvin Kumar
Set in the picturesque valleys of Kashmir, narrates a sensitive story of those who’ve gone missing after being picked up on suspicion of being involved in militant activities.
This one serves as a telling reminder of the atrocities endured by some in the hands of BSF personnel, in certain cases, merely by association.
Noor (Zara Webb), a British girl of Kashmiri descent, is visiting her native motherland after a decade. Her father’s mysterious disappearance is something that no one wants to talk about! She befriends a local boy Majid (Shivan Raina), whose father has also been ‘missing’, the two stumble into a web of fundamentalism and extreme measures.
The parallel drawn here is obvious — a land of calm that is often referred to as ‘heaven on earth’ is also marred with conflict — the ramifications of which are endured by those close to them.
Director Kumar also played a character role of a religious extremist in the film, offers a narrative about the grave issues facing Kashmir. The filmmaker has dealt with delicate situation in Kashmir with sensibility without being over the top.
Filmmaker also daringly exposed the brutalities inflicted by army personnel, which has been receiving a lot of flanks.
Newcomers or young artist, Webb and Raina retain the curiosity and innocence synonymous with their characters and unlike most child actors, seem less constructed in their approach.
Veteran Kulbhushan Kharbanda and Soni Razdan, adds much needed authentic touch and portrays deeply disturbed and hurt people, who have witnessed decimation of life right in-front of their eyes.
Despair and hope run parallel in this film and live goes on!