Don’t just film Kashmir, tell its stories: CM Omar

The useful part

"Nostalgia alone can't build an industry," he said in his address after inaugurating J&K's first-ever international film festival. He recalled Kashmir's enduring association with Indian cinema saying that in the golden era of Indian cinema, to fall in love on screen meant falling in love in Kashmir. He cited iconic films including Junglee, Kashmir Ki Kali, Aradhana, Bobby, Silsila, Kabhi Kabhi, and Jab Tak Hai Jaan, saying generations had formed their idea of romance, beauty, and freedom through images filmed in Kashmir.

How it works

• CM Omar said the region's cinematic journey had subsequently evolved, with films like Mission Kashmir, Haider, Rockstar, Highway, and Bajrangi Bhaijaan using Kashmir to tell more complex human stories.
• He said that filmmakers should now look beyond mountains, snow, and scenic locations and tap into the cultural and human dimensions of J&K.
• He described the region's "Kashmiriyat, warmth, hospitality, and rich artistic tradition" as its real cinematic strength.

Details worth keeping

Addressing the gathering at the inaugural ceremony of the four-day International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) at Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) here, CM Omar stressed the need to create conditions that can attract filmmakers while generating opportunities for local talent. "Cinema is more than landscapes, cinema is culture," CM Omar said.