In an unprecedented move, leading Bollywood directors engaged in candid discussions with locals about the enchanting world of cinema and emphasized the need to rejuvenate the historical bond between the scenic landscapes of Kashmir and the allure of the silver screen. The directors sought to inspire locals to delve into film-making during the ‘Film Tourism and its potential in promoting J&K Tourism’ session at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), a vital segment of the two-day tourism conclave.
The conclave witnessed the presence of acclaimed directors Vishal Bharadwaj, Imtiyaz Ali, Kabir Khan, and actor Sanjay Suri, who broke down the intricacies of making a mark in the film industry for the local audience. With a strong emphasis on hard work and perseverance, Imtiyaz Ali, known for films like Rockstar and Highway, which cast a renewed focus on Kashmir, urged the locals to overcome the enduring resistance towards reopening cinema halls and to embrace film-making as a viable career path. “People of Kashmir will have to dispel the persisting resistance regarding opening of cinema halls and people choosing films as a career,” Ali remarked, noting that Bollywood is always on the lookout for compelling scripts with a Kashmir-centric theme.
Kashmir’s cinematic landscape saw a significant decline with the advent of militancy in the 1990s, leading to the closure of around a dozen cinema halls. In recent years, efforts by the Lieutenant Governor’s administration have been instrumental in reviving cinema culture by reopening movie halls across the valley.
Kabir Khan, whose blockbuster Bajrangi Bhaijaan spotlighted the mesmerizing locales of Sonamarg, shattered the myth of entrenched nepotism in Bollywood. “None of our relatives were in Bollywood. We flew from different States and today came to represent Bollywood, which yearns for new talent. It requires a lot of hard work though. The key is the passion to do something different,” said Khan, who commended the local population for their cooperation and intrinsic understanding of the film-making process. Highlighting the ease of shooting in Kashmir as opposed to Delhi, Khan shared, “Shooting in Delhi is far harder than in Kashmir. It’s much easier to have an audience of three thousand stay silent in Kashmir while shooting at a location. They understand what is required when dialogues are recorded.
. This one element makes all the difference.”
Further encouraging local film-makers, Vishal Bharadwaj, who delicately portrayed multiple layers of Kashmir’s turbulent past in his film Haider, invited locals to take advantage of the new film policy offering substantial subsidies. “Local language film-makers can avail double subsidy, which amounts to ₹3 crore. I made my first movie for ₹40 lakh. A Bengal film costs no more than ₹3-4 crore. They produce good cinema,” Bharadwaj pointed out, emphasizing the accessibility and feasibility of quality cinema as a local endeavor.
The proactive introduction of the Jammu and Kashmir Film Policy by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has facilitated the issuance of shooting permissions for 350 films in the past four years, signaling a robust resurgence of film-making in the region. This policy aims to minimize bureaucratic hurdles and create a hospitable environment for both national and international film-makers to explore and capture the raw beauty of Kashmir on film.
The seminar not only focused on the technical aspects of cinema but also highlighted the socio-cultural implications of a thriving film industry in the region. It underscored the potential for job creation, economic growth, and the elevation of local talent to national prominence. The directors agreed that film-making can be a powerful medium to narrate the unique stories of Kashmir, thereby increasing tourism and promoting a more nuanced global understanding of the region.
In a region where the celluloid dream had almost vanished, the participation of Bollywood’s crème de la crème sparked renewed interest and hope among the locals. As Bollywood continues to look towards Kashmir, drawing inspiration from its breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural tapestry, the valley stands on the cusp of a cinematic renaissance.
This conclave, therefore, served not just as an educational session but as a clarion call for the people of Kashmir to reclaim their place in the cinematic world, breaking through the barriers of the past and scripting a new future intertwined with the resplendent art of film-making.
