The jury board of the 53rd International Film Festival (IFFI) in Goa issued an official statement over the controversy that has erupted after Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid called 'The Kashmir Files' "propaganda" and "vulgar".

In his speech during the closing ceremony of IFFI 2022, Lapid had mentioned how the "jury was disturbed and shocked" that 'The Kashmir Files' was screened at the film festival.

"All of us were disturbed and shocked by the 15th film, The Kashmir Files. That felt like a propaganda, vulgar movie, inappropriate for an artistic competitive section of such a prestigious film festival. I feel totally comfortable openly sharing these feelings here with you at this stage. In the spirit of this festival, we can surely also accept a critical discussion, which is essential for art and life," he had said.

Who is Nadav Lapid? Know all about IFFI jury head who called 'The Kashmir Files' a ‘propaganda, vulgar movie’; watch video

Following the backlash and social media outrage, the IFFI jury board has now released a statement claiming that the remarks by Lapid were his own and had nothing to do with the entire board.

"In the official presentation of the Jury Board to the Festival Director and in the official Press Conference, where we 4 juries were present and interacted with the press, we never mentioned anything about our likes or dislikes. Both were our official collective opinion. As a juror, we are assigned to judge the technical, aesthetic quality and socio-cultural relevance of the film. We don't indulge in any kind of political comments on any film and if it is done, it is completely in personal capacity," the statement read.

Anupam Kher takes a dig at Nadav Lapid after Israeli filmmaker calls The Kashmir Files 'propaganda', 'vulgar'

Among those who have criticised the Israeli filmmaker's comment is the country's own ambassador to India, Naor Gilon. He said that Lapid should be "ashamed" of his remarks.

Actors Anupam Kher and Darshan Kumaar, who were a part of the film, as well as filmmaker Ashoke Pandit, have also condemned Lapid's comment on 'The Kashmir Files'.

'The Kashmir Files' tells the story of the Hindu exodus in the 1990s and the targetted killings of the Kashmiri Pandits in the valley.

The movie went on to become one of the highest-grossing and most-talked-about Bollywood movies of 2022.

The Kashmir Files Row: 'You should be ashamed', Israeli ambassador slams 'Vulgar' remark by Nadav Lapis; read open letter here