While in Srinagar to shoot an advertisement, Oscar-winning composer A R Rahman said Kashmir offers creative clarity and urged cinema to focus on harmony, nature, and local culture as the region hosts its first International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir.
Rahman urged filmmakers to spotlight Kashmir’s natural beauty and peace instead of stories of past violence.
He described the region as uncluttered and inspiring, saying it provides rare creative clarity for artists.
Rahman welcomed the new International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir and encouraged collaboration with local folk musicians.
# Rahman: film should highlight Kashmir's beauty and peace
Oscar-winning composer A R Rahman, visiting Srinagar to shoot an advertisement, urged filmmakers to reshape the cinematic narrative around Kashmir by focusing on its natural beauty, peace, and cultural harmony rather than past conflict.
Rahman said Kashmir is "uncluttered, beautiful, and it inspires us," framing the valley as a place that offers creative clarity to artists. He argued that cinema can help change perceptions by showing harmony and the positive elements that visitors and residents experience in nature and everyday life.
He told reporters, "They should bring the beauty and the peace, what you see in nature, as a positive thing, than taking anything about violence or the past. The past was past, the future is bright."
Rahman welcomed Jammu and Kashmir's first International Film Festival, calling it a commendable initiative. He expressed the hope that the festival will grow and attract wider audiences, comparing the aspiration to established events such as Amsterdam, London Film Festival, and Sundance.
He also supported greater collaboration between Bollywood and Kashmiri folk musicians. Rahman recalled using local folk singing for the film Rockstar and said he would like to record and work with more local artists in future projects.
Rahman said he enjoyed shooting the advertisement in Jammu and Kashmir and expressed interest in performing in the valley. He noted ongoing talks and plans for future visits and collaborations.
The comments came amid broader conversation in Srinagar during the film festival about the future of cinema in the region. Other filmmakers and actors at festival events have highlighted Kashmir's storytelling potential beyond scenic backdrops and called for building a local film ecosystem.
A R Rahman framed Kashmir as a source of artistic inspiration and urged the film industry to present the region as a place of beauty and harmony. His remarks support festival efforts to invite filmmakers and audiences while encouraging collaboration with local musicians and storytellers.
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