A teaser for the upcoming film Chauhaan, featuring Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn, has ignited a wave of backlash among local communities and political parties in Jammu and Kashmir due to its portrayal of victims affected by pellet injuries.

The teaser depicts a young man struck in the eyes by pellets during protests, while Mr. Devgn’s voiceover refers to it as “limited damage.” This description has been met with outrage, particularly in a region where over 10,000 locals suffered pellet injuries from 2010 to 2016. Official records indicate that the peak of such injuries occurred in 2016, with 6,000 injuries reported within just four months from July to October that year. Among these victims, 782 faced eye injuries, with many losing their vision entirely or partially.

Local Political Response

Imran Nabi Dar, spokesperson for the ruling National Conference (NC), criticized the film’s teaser as “a compilation of propaganda,” stating that it surpasses even “Goebbelsian propaganda” in its capacity to incite violence. He condemned the mockery of victims, some of whom lost their eyesight or their lives, deeming it a spiteful agenda against Kashmiris.

“Down with people who celebrate violence. Mr. Devgn, you are a disgrace,”

Mr. Dar asserted, urging the production team to retract the teaser.

Cries for Sensitivity from Activists

Wajahat Farooq Bhat, leader of the non-profit Save Youth Save Future, which works with victims of militancy, urged the filmmakers to cease glorifying violence through their portrayals of “alpha male” heroes and incessant gunfights. He highlighted the traumatic experiences endured by locals, emphasizing that there is nothing glamorous about the severe consequences of violence in Kashmir.

“We buried our loved ones, lived through bomb blasts, gunfire, curfews, fear, and uncertainty,”

Bhat remarked, asserting that the narratives surrounding Kashmir should reflect its resilience rather than violence.

Public Sentiment on Social Media

Many netizens have labeled the trailer as “trivializing” and “deeply insensitive” to those affected by the brutal use of pellet guns for crowd control. Activist Sahil Parray raised concerns about the vilification of Kashmiris in media portrayals, questioning the motives behind depicting such trauma for profit.

“Laughing at pellet victims would sell tickets? How much more hatred are you (Bollywood) going to spread?”

he lamented.

Impact on Pellet Victims

The teaser has been profoundly disturbing for those injured, who continue to grapple with the mental anguish from their experiences. One victim, who chose to remain anonymous, mentioned that the film’s depiction echoed their own traumatic memories, leading to sleepless nights.

An official research paper has outlined the psychological repercussions for pellet-hit victims in Kashmir, revealing that those with eye injuries exhibit significantly higher rates of psychiatric disorders, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It highlights the urgent need for a sensitive approach in storytelling that respects the lived experiences of those affected.