Srinagar, Sep 10: Actress Sadiya Khateeb, who hails from Bhaderwah, on Thursday said Jammu and Kashmir hosting an international film festival is a “big and proud moment,” recalling that there was a time when the region did not have a single theatre.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK), the ‘Shikara’ actress as per Kashmir Convener said the region is overflowing with talent that only needs the right platform and support.
“There was a time when there was no theatre since I was born and brought up. There was no theatre in our city, and suddenly today we are seeing a fully-fledged international film festival happening over here. This is a huge thing. I am feeling proud, I am feeling happy,” Khateeb said.
She asserted that artistes from Kashmir, Jammu, Doda, Rajouri, Bhaderwah, Poonch and Ladakh are immensely talented, adding, “We are just one opportunity away from a milestone. And that’s what I feel is something that we should work towards.”
Khateeb expressed hope that the talent of “every household” in the region would spread across the country and the world, and said that while some local artistes are featuring in films, there is scope for much more.
Speaking about the struggles of the entertainment industry, she said difficulties exist in every profession, but showbiz is uniquely demanding because it is an “entertainment business” where challenges are visible and magnified.
“There is no profession like this — including journalism, doctor, engineer, actor — where there are no difficulties. Difficulties are in every profession, yours and mine. Yes, maybe there are more challenges in our profession because it is an entertainment business, so our difficulties are visible and big. But there is one thing: if you believe in yourself and if Allah is with you, then overcoming any difficulty in the world is not a big deal,” she said.
The actress said her own journey, though difficult, would not have been easy in any other field either, and that hurdles are what reveal a person’s strength.
“When you see any Kashmiri on the global stage, on the international stage, when you see your fellow partner, your fellow friend, the first feeling that is natural to come is a feeling of pride. You feel very proud, very happy,” she said.
Recalling the screening of the film ‘Tasruf Daar’ at the festival, Khateeb said, “Yesterday I saw his film, Tasruf Daar, and that is when we had a brief interaction with him. I was super proud to see a legit, solid Kashmiri-speaking film being telecasted at an international film festival. That’s a really big thing.”
She noted that while Kashmiri shows earlier aired only on Doordarshan and Take One TV, which her parents used to watch, the region’s cinema is now reaching international platforms after many years.
The actress also highlighted the growing talent from the region in music and acting, naming artistes such as Mohammad Huneem, Faheem and Arukh Khan, and said she personally reaches out to congratulate them whenever possible.
“I think it’s only by standing with each other, by supporting each other, that we can move forward. Of course, it’s a matter of pride that they have reached this level. They have done a great job,” she said.
On her own grounding, Khateeb credited her parents, brother and sister for being a “solid backbone” throughout her journey, saying their support enables her to face the world and its challenges.
“For me, my journey has been easy because my parents are with me… That is why I am able to face the challenges of the world. And that is why I am always focused on doing a good job, but I have to make sure that I don’t do anything that will bring shame to my parents,” she said.
Urging families to back young talent, she added, “When we, our generation, our children, our youth, the talented kids of Jammu and Kashmir — when we give them support at home, they themselves will move forward on the right path and will be successful. We just have to give them the right support.”
The IFFJK, held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre on the banks of Dal Lake, concluded on Thursday with the participation of filmmakers, actors and industry professionals from across the country and abroad.
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