New Dawn for Kashmir’s Film Industry
SUHAIL KHAN
SRINAGAR, July 31: The union territory of Jammu and Kashmir is poised to become a vibrant hub for filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts, thanks to the abrogation of Article 370 and the implementation of a new film policy.
As reported by Kashmir Despatch, Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said more than 300 movies and TV series have been shot in the region since the administration launched its new film policy two years ago. This marks a significant revival of the region’s cinematic prowess, which had once been a hub for Bollywood and Hollywood productions until the 1980s.
“The era when Hollywood and Bollywood films were shot here is back,” LG Sinha had stated proudly.
To capitalize on this momentum, the Jammu and Kashmir administration is organizing the J&K Film Conclave today at SKICC in Srinagar—a milestone event in the cultural renaissance of the region.
The centerpiece of the conclave is the launch of the Single Window Portal for Film Shooting and Subsidies. An official told Kashmir Despatch that this initiative promises to simplify the bureaucratic process for filmmakers and provide substantial subsidies, making it easier for them to shoot their films in the region. This is expected to attract a wave of domestic and international filmmakers, boosting the local economy while showcasing the beauty and cultural richness of Jammu and Kashmir to a global audience.
The official said that the conclave will also feature the J&K Film Screening Series and the Frames of Transformation Photography Competition, providing platforms for artistic expression and visual storytelling. Renowned director Madhur Bhandarkar will be a judge and will share his insights, further adding to the event’s prestige.
The event will also honor the winners of the Naya Jammu Kashmir Short Film Making Competition, showcasing the immense talent within the region.
Speaking to Kashmir Despatch, Mubeeb-ul-Haq, a local filmmaker, said that it’s great to see Bollywood back on track in the paradise, as it has the potential not only to see J&K’s burgeoning film industry but also to provide employment to thousands of people, especially the youth. He said the local talent will also get recognized at the national and international level, and such conclaves will offer valuable learning opportunities for the youth of Kashmir.
Another Srinagar-based filmmaker said that by positioning the region as a premier destination for film production and cultural tourism, this film conclave event heralds a new era of cinematic brilliance and cultural prosperity for the union territory. He said it’s finally a moment to celebrate for the whole Jammu and Kashmir, and this will not only help to boost the local economy and businesses but will also open doors to employment generation, which used to be the biggest problem in the sector.
Pertinently, It may be recalled that till 1990, Kashmir was the second home for Bollywood. Way back in 1949 late Raj Kapoor shot some sequences of his film Barsaat in Kashmir, taking its serene beauty to the audience. After that Kashmir became the focus area of many film producers.
In the 1960s and 1970s, several Bollywood films, including ‘Kashmir Ki Kali’ (1964), ‘Jab Jab Phool Khile’ (1965), and ‘Bobby’ (1973), among many others, were shot in Kashmir. The songs of these films remained favorites for generations to come.
However, after insurgency broke out in Jammu and Kashmir in the early nineties the filmmakers were compelled to snap ties with the region due to uncertainty and chaos that prevailed due to the violence orchestrated by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists and the separatists.
