Srinagar, Jul 24: Noted filmmaker Imtiaz Ali on Friday described Kashmir as the “jewel in the crown” of the country, while making a fervent appeal to the youth of the Valley to “think big” and aim for international standards in regional cinema.
Addressing media during his visit to the Valley, the Rockstar director as per Kashmir Convener said Kashmir remains an untapped treasure trove for storytellers, adding that the region’s beauty and talent have only been scratched on the silver screen so far.
“Wherever you put a camera, it looks beautiful in Kashmir. The work of all of us filmmakers gets better. But as much films we can shoot here, there is a lot of potential. We have not seen anything yet which Kashmir has to offer,” Ali said.
Expressing his appreciation for the government’s efforts, Ali said he was particularly encouraged by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s recent assurance to make film shootings easier, cheaper, and more streamlined in the Union Territory.
“I am very encouraged actually myself by the speech of the Honorable Chief Minister because he said that he is looking forward towards his departments to actually make it easier, cheaper, better for filmmakers like myself and Sajid and Farhan to shoot over here. I am very thankful to him. I think that is a step forward,” he stated.
The director emphasised that filmmaking in Kashmir cannot thrive without active participation from the local population, urging residents to become “cinema literate” to guide visiting crews effectively.
“When we come over here, we rely upon people who are local. So, I want that local participation with cinema because you know about Kashmir what we don’t know. When we come, you can guide us,” he said, adding that the relationship between filmmakers and the Valley should be symbiotic.
Responding to a question about the scope of regional cinema in Kashmir, Ali called for ambition and excellence, saying mediocrity would not serve the land of such unparalleled beauty.
“If we talk about regional cinema, then it should be an international level regional cinema. Because anything that comes from Kashmir, it has a very special place in the world. Every person in the world gets a smile from Kashmir on their face. Your cinema should also be like that,” he asserted. “Just making it is not enough for Kashmiris. It is very important to make it good.”
The filmmaker also threw his weight behind the proposed International Film Festival in Kashmir, describing it as a “very nice initiative” that could have a “deep impact” on the region.
“Kashmiri youth, when they interact with filmmakers, they will also be inspired. When international filmmakers come here with their films, they will see Kashmir and listen to the stories of Kashmir… They will make a film on them,” Ali said.
He urged the administration to position the festival among the best in the world and treat it with “the highest and most aesthetic fashion.”
He made a passionate appeal to the people of Kashmir to think beyond the ordinary. He also offered his full support to any initiative aimed at promoting cinema in the Valley.
“I will definitely be ready to help in every way. I will be enthusiastic. But I also have a request from you that you think big,” he said. “People want to know about the characters of Kashmir and the story of Kashmir in cinema. And a local cinema should be developed here. I will definitely help.”
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