‘The Kashmir Files’ shoots past blockbuster ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ to smash box office record

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Vivek Agnihotri's low-budget directorial venture <em>The Kashmir Files</em>, has smashed box office records in its first week to shoot past top Bollywood hits such as <em>Gangubai Kathiawadi</em>.</p>
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On Day 6, <em>The Kashmir Files</em> is reported to have raked in Rs 19.05 crore reportedly takibg its total box office collection past the Rs 79 crore mark and counting, according to trade figures.</p>
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In comparison, one of the biggest recent Bollywood A-list releases, <em>Gangubai Kathiawadi</em>, took Rs 57 crore in its first five days of sales last month.</p>
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Since opening on Friday the Kashmir Files has gone from being shown on 400 screens nationwide to more than 3,000 screens now.</p>
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Big releases like Prabhas' <em>Radhe Shyam </em>and Alia Bhatt's <em>Gangubai Kathiawadi</em> haven't affected it at all as huge crowds have flocked to theatres screening <em>The Kashmir Files</em>.</p>
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<em>The Kashmir Files</em>, which released on March 11, is based on the exodus of thousands of Hindus from Kashmir in 1989-90 due to the violence and killings carried out in the valley by Pakistan-backed terrorists. The film stars Anupam Kher, Darshan Kumaar, Mithun Chakraborty and Pallavi Joshi.</p>
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The film has also got embroiled in a political debate. Supporters of the movie, set during both the violent upheaval of 1989-90 and the present day, say it highlights an ignored chapter of Kashmir’s history. However, critics say it fans anti-Muslim sentiment.</p>
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<strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/india-news/kashmir-files-a-grim-reminder-of-role-of-pak-isi-in-ethnic-cleansing-of-kashmiri-pandits-157674.html">Kashmir Files: A grim reminder of role of Pak ISI in ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri Pandits</a></strong></p>