Filmmakers seek policy push to revive local cinema in Kashmir

The useful part

He said Raghavan's experience across genres including thrillers, romance and commercial cinema made the masterclass particularly valuable for students and aspiring filmmakers. However, Mudabir said inspiration alone could not build a sustainable film industry in Kashmir. Local and indigenous filmmakers have limited scope to make films or showcase them before audiences," he said.

How it works

• "Such measures can provide young filmmakers with an opportunity to move beyond training and discussions and actually produce and exhibit their work," he added.
• He called for government measures such as subsidies and incentives for local film productions and suggested that cinema halls in Jammu and Kashmir reserve dedicated screening slots for locally produced films.
• Filmmaker Shadab Alam said the increasing number of film-related activities in Kashmir was encouraging and indicated that perceptions about shooting in the Valley were changing.

Details worth keeping

Filmmakers participating in the International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) 2026 have called for greater government support, policy incentives and dedicated exhibition space to revive local cinema and create a sustainable film ecosystem in the Valley. Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of a masterclass by filmmaker Shriram Raghavan at SKICC Srinagar, filmmaker and college teacher Mudabir said interactions with established filmmakers could help inspire young talent but would need to be backed by concrete opportunities. "Cinema has not received much promotion in Kashmir.