Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid, whose remarks on ‘The Kashmir Files’ film triggered a major uproar in the country has defended his observations and said, "somebody has to speak up."

He also said the film has fascist features and the entire jury shared his views.

His latest statements on Wednesday came two days after the filmmaker, who was the head of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) jury in Goa, said the film is a "propaganda" and "vulgar."

Israeli Ambassador to New Delhi Naor Gilon had reacted sharply to his remarks on the closing ceremony of the festival on Monday and asked the filmmaker on Tuesday to apologise and said he should be ashamed.

Director of the film Vivek Agnihotri and actor Anupam Kher, who acted in ‘The Kashmir Files’, also slammed Lapid.

Speaking to Israeli news website Ynet over the phone on the controversy over his remarks, Lapid said, "It’s crazy, what’s going on here. It’s a Government festival and it’s the biggest in India. It’s a film that the Indian Government, even if it didn’t actually make it, at least pushed it in an unusual way. It basically justifies the Indian policy in Kashmir, and it has fascist features.” This comment was a rough translation of the interview in Hebrew.

He said there are claims that the move captured dimensions hidden by intellectuals and the media. "It is always the same method — that there is the foreign enemy, and there are traitors from within."

In his interview, Lapid said while he was watching the movie, he was shocked by the "transparent combination between propaganda and fascism and vulgarity". "I couldn’t help but imagine an Israeli film like this in another year and a half or two," he told Ynet.

Asked if he anticipated the massive backlash to his remarks, Lapid said he was "apprehensive".

"It is not an easy position, you are a guest, I am the president of the jury here, you are treated very nicely. And then you come and attack the festival. There was apprehension, and there was discomfort," he said, adding, "Let’s put it this way: I’m happy to be on my way to the airport now."

The filmmaker said if the chairman of a foreign jury spoke critically about a film of his country, he would be "happy" even if it is "not a pleasant feeling". "In countries that are increasingly losing the ability to speak your mind or speak the truth, someone needs to speak up. When I saw this movie, I couldn’t help but imagine its Israeli equivalent, which doesn’t exist but could definitely exist. So I felt I had to," he said.

Meanwhile, in an exclusive interview to a private television channel in India, Lapid spoke at length about the controversy over his comments on ‘The Kashmir Files.’

When told that his comment has erupted into a huge controversy and that the Israeli Ambassador had to apologise for what he said, Lapid said he is nobody’s property. He also said politicians have a way of making profit out of controversies. Lapid said, "I accept the fact that ‘The Kashmir Files’ is a brilliant movie. It was my duty to say what I saw.”

 “ It's a very subjective way.” he added.

Lapid even apologised if people got hurt because of his remarks. He also added that other jury members felt the same way, but refrained from speaking openly,” he said.  “The Kashmir Files” was screened at the film festival alongside 14 other films.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of 53rd edition of the International Film Festival of India, Lapid had said, “All of us are disturbed. It felt to us like a propaganda, vulgar movie inappropriate for an artistic competitive section of such a prestigious competition. I feel totally comfortable in sharing these feelings openly on stage, since the spirit of the festival truly accepts critical discussion which is essential for art and life.”

Claiming that his statements and opinions were shared by all the jury members, Lapid said, “All of us were sitting in the screening room and had the same feelings after the screening. Everyone was aware of what was going to be said. I have emails and WhatsApp to prove it. I understand that under pressure or fear or anxiety, people can suddenly change their statements.”