The film's exclusive focus on violence of Muslims on Hindus—with limited attention given to the overall history of human rights abuses in the state—and especially, the painting of all Muslims as active or passive participants in the exodus has been seen as promoting Islamophobia and aiding a Hindu Nationalist cause. The film has also faced charges of historical revisionism and unnuanced storytelling. Several critics have compared Agnihotri with Leni Riefenstahl, a Nazi propagandist. Isaac Chotiner, interviewing Agnihotri for The New Yorker, summed up the work as an ahistorical exercise in "stigmatization and fearmongering". In response to accusations of propaganda, Agnihotri said: "How can a film on terrorism be propaganda?", adding that "The film is only against terrorism. I have not criticized Muslims." He also denied allegations that the film could create a divide between Hindus and Muslims, calling the allegations "agenda-driven".
