Srinagar, Sep 9: Joint Director Information Syed Shahnawaz Bukhari on Wednesday said the administration wants to revive old association and connection of Jammu and Kashmir with Bollywood and attract more filmmakers to the region.
Talking to the reporters on the sidelines of the International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK), here, Bukhari, said, “We want to revive that old tradition and give confidence to people from Bollywood that they can come to Kashmir and shoot their films here.”
He said J&K has immense potential for filmmaking and remained a natural choice for film shoots. “We want to attract filmmakers from across the globe to the region,” he said.
Bukhari said the three-day IFFJK received an overwhelming response, with more than 360 delegates from outside J&K attending screenings, expert sessions and other programmes.
The floating cinema on Dal Lake emerged as one of the festival’s major attractions, drawing large crowds. “You have seen the response yourself. All the surrounding areas are packed with people. They come and enjoy. It’s an instant hit,” Bukhari said.
He said efforts would be made to further develop the concept and hoped the Tourism Department would take the floating cinema initiative forward for tourists.
Bukhari also said the administration intended to organise the film festival annually, besides exploring a winter edition in Gulmarg. “We are also exploring the possibility of planning a film festival during winter. Perhaps we could organise it in Gulmarg during the winter season,” he said.
He said the participation of prominent filmmakers and industry personalities, including veteran filmmaker C.P. Dixit of Sholay fame, would provide local youth an opportunity to interact with experienced professionals and help strengthen the region’s filmmaking ecosystem. (KNO)
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