The film received a polarizing response upon its release on . Shikara (2020)
: As communal tensions rise in 1990, the couple is forced to flee their home due to militant threats and the targetting of Kashmiri Pandits. The film received a polarizing response upon its release on
: The narrative concludes in 2018 with a poignant journey to the Taj Mahal and Shiv's eventual return to his ancestral land to teach, emphasizing hope and reconciliation over hate. Critical Reception and Impact Critical Reception and Impact The 2020 film ,
The 2020 film , directed and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra , is a romantic drama set against the historical backdrop of the 1990 Exodus of Kashmiri Hindus . While marketed as the "untold story" of Kashmiri Pandits, the film primarily focuses on the decades-long love story of a young couple, Shiv Kumar Dhar (played by Aadil Khan) and Shanti Dhar (played by Sadia), as they transition from a beautiful life in the Kashmir Valley to living as refugees in Jammu. Plot Overview and Narrative Structure They build a mansion named "Shikara," symbolizing their
: The story begins in the late 1980s, depicting the idyllic life of Shiv and Shanti in Kashmir. They build a mansion named "Shikara," symbolizing their hope and culture.
: The film follows their 30-year struggle in refugee camps and quarters in Jammu. Shiv continually writes letters to various Presidents of the United States (1,664 letters in total) to seek international solidarity for their plight.