J&K’s Film Policy: Local artists must not be forgotten

The Jammu and Kashmir government has recently launched the Union Territory’s Film Policy, which has been worked out to facilitate the overall growth of the film industry in the region, including setting up of a film development council and revival of closed cinema halls. According to the government, it aims at establishing Jammu and Kashmir as the first choice of film shooting destination for filmmakers. The policy as per the details has been worked out to promote the overall growth of the film industry in the Union Territory, setting up of the Jammu and Kashmir Film Development Council and providing hands on access to websites for talent pool and all shooting destinations. However, this policy cannot prove successful until and unless the local artists, who have almost lost their livelihood, will not be engaged in it. There should be a special focus for the local artists, who have not earned a single penny since the last several years and have almost lost their jobs. The local talent has been appreciable in almost every platform, but at this juncture when the government is all set to go ahead with the fresh policy, these local artists must be taken care of and should be engaged so that they can start fresh and prove their ability at the big platform. There is a need to take the local artists on board so that they can also put forth their suggestions, which may help the administration in the implementation of the policy as well.