Through characters like Pushkar Nath Pandit, the film emphasizes the deep emotional connection to one's homeland and the trauma of being rendered a refugee in one's own country.

While many events in the film are based on real-life incidents—such as the killings of B.K. Ganjoo and Girija Tikoo—some family members of the victims and historians have contested the film's specific portrayals and the way disparate events were consolidated into a single timeline for dramatic effect. Legacy and Impact

Supporters, including several high-ranking government officials, have lauded the film for finally giving a voice to the displaced Pandit community and showing an "unembellished truth" that had been ignored for decades. It won National Film Awards for National Integration and Best Supporting Actress (Pallavi Joshi).

Beyond the box office, the film's impact is evident in the way it has shifted the discourse on Kashmir in India. It led to the re-release of the film on January 19, 2023, to mark the anniversary of the 1990 exodus. For many Kashmiri Pandits, the film served as a form of , while for others, it raised concerns about heightening communal tensions and social divisions.

The 2022 film The Kashmir Files , directed by Vivek Agnihotri, has emerged as one of the most polarizing and discussed pieces of modern Indian cinema. While it achieved massive commercial success, becoming the third highest-grossing Hindi film of 2022, it simultaneously sparked intense national debates regarding historical accuracy, political messaging, and its societal impact.