Prominent Bollywood directors gathered in Kashmir Thursday to connect with locals,hoping to reignite region's film industry. Part of a two-day tourism conclave at Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC),talks focused on film tourism's potential to boost Jammu and Kashmir's appeal.
Directors Vishal Bhardwaj, Imtiaz Ali, and Kabir Khan,with actor Sanjay Suri,shared insights into filmmaking, urging locals to consider cinema careers. Their visit comes as local film industry grapples with challenges,especially since militancy surged in 1990s,closing about a dozen cinemas .
Ali,known for Rockstar and Highway,urged audience to overcome lingering cinema resistance in region . Emphasizing hard work and creativity,he said,“People of Kashmir will have to dispel persisting resistance regarding opening of cinema halls and people choosing films as a career.” Bollywood seeks compelling scripts that capture Kashmir's unique story.
Khan,with film Bajrangi Bhaijaan showcasing Sonamarg's beauty,challenged notion that Bollywood is closed to new talent . “None of our relatives were in Bollywood. We flew from different states to represent an industry that yearns for new talent,” he said. Praised ease of working in Kashmir compared to other sites,highlighting local cooperation during shoots. “It’s much easier to have an audience of three thousand stay silent in Kashmir while shooting at a location,” he remarked,noting locals' grasp of filmmaking.
Bhardwaj,whose Haider delved into Kashmir's troubled history,encouraged local filmmakers to leverage new film policy by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. Local filmmakers can get double subsidy up to ₹3 crore. “I made my first movie for ₹40 lakhs. A Bengal film costs no more than ₹3-4 crore. They produce good cinema,” he said,advocating for local talent's potential.
In recent years,Lieutenant Governor’s administration worked to revive Kashmir's film industry,reopening cinemas across Valley. Introduction of J&K Film Policy facilitated shooting of 350 films in region over past four years,showing renewed interest in cinematic storytelling.
Directors' visit marks key step toward fostering vibrant film culture in Kashmir,where stunning landscapes and rich narratives could attract filmmakers and audiences. As region seeks to reclaim cinematic identity,collaboration between Bollywood and local talent could usher in new era for Kashmir's film industry…
