Srinagar, Sep 12: Oscar-winning musician A.R. Rahman on Saturday described Kashmir as a “beautiful and blessed” place and said the holding of an international film festival here was commendable, expressing hope that it would grow to become the best film festival in India.
Speaking to media during his visit to Kashmir, A.R Rahman said, “It’s a beautiful place and it’s blessed and so having an international film festival is commendable and everybody can see the beauty of Kashmir and the vibration of Kashmir. I wish this film festival becomes really famous and a lot of people come here and enjoy the hospitality of the Kashmiri people and the Indian government.”
Asked whether Kashmir’s beauty and hospitality had touched Bollywood artists, the maestro said, “First of all, artists seek inspiration. When we come here, it’s uncluttered, it’s beautiful and it inspires us.”
On his visit, A.R Rahman said he had come for an advertisement shoot. “We enjoyed shooting the ad, we just finished it,” he said.
Responding to a question about plans for Kashmiri and Sufi music in 2026, A.R Rahman said, “Yes, we have some plans and we are talking. Hopefully, I want to come and perform here.”
When asked whether Bollywood should shoot more films and songs in Kashmir to promote its beauty positively, The musician said, “That’s a very good point. I think that’s what should happen from now. They should bring the beauty and the peace when you see nature as a positive thing than taking anything about violence or the past. The past is past, the future is bright.”
On the use of Kashmiri instruments like the Rabab in fusion music, Rahman noted that the instrument was performed remarkably well in the film Haider and that Bismillah received a huge response across the country, with the Rabab featuring prominently. “Sufi instruments are so popular across the world. They should be used in Bollywood,” he said.
“I think that’s a beautiful suggestion and I would love to. I came here for Rockstar, I recorded the ladies singing folk songs and we used it in Rockstar, and we want to come and do more things here,” he added.
On the significance of the International Film Festival, A.R Rahman said, “This is a great opening, this is a great idea and I wish it will grow and grow and become beautiful and become such a great experience. Like we go to Amsterdam and we go to London Film Festival, all those places, Sundance. I wish Kashmir becomes the best festival of India.”
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