SRINAGAR: Renowned filmmaker Imtiaz Ali on Tuesday said Kashmir has many untold stories, characters and cultural traditions that could provide rich material for filmmakers, expressing hope that the region’s growing engagement with cinema would create more opportunities for local talent.
Interacting with the media on the sidelines of the second day of the International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK) at SKICC here, Ali said he always hoped to return to Kashmir whenever he shoots a film.
“We always hope that whenever we shoot, we come back to Kashmir. There is perhaps no other place in the world that is so cinematic,” he said.
Speaking about Laila Majnu, Ali said the film was deeply rooted in Kashmir, with its characters, setting and overall feel closely connected to the region.
“Laila Majnu is a film based in Kashmir. The characters are from Kashmir, and the whole setting and feel of the film are Kashmiri,” he said.
Ali said he was pleased that the film continued to remain popular in Kashmir years after its release.
“Eight years later, it is still popular here. This is Kashmir. I am very happy and I thank Kashmir for Laila Majnu,” he said.
Asked about other Kashmiri stories that fascinate him, Ali said several historical and cultural personalities could be explored through cinema.
“There are many characters in Kashmir that fascinate me. I am fascinated by Habba Khatoon and many other artists and Sufi saints of Kashmir. I think about them and, if I get an opportunity, I would definitely like to make something on them,” he said.
He said several aspects of ordinary Kashmiri life and culture had yet to receive adequate attention in cinema.
“There are many things that have not come up. Kashmir is normally famous for its landscape, but I find Kashmiri humour very interesting too,” he said.
Ali said the film festival could help visitors from outside Jammu and Kashmir experience the region beyond its popular imagery.
“I think the biggest benefit of a film festival is that people will come here from outside and see Kashmir with their own eyes. They will understand what they see here and perhaps make films based on that,” he said.
He added that people could develop their own understanding of Kashmir after experiencing the region first-hand.
On Rockstar, parts of which were shot in Kashmir, Ali said the region left a distinct imprint on cinema.
“Some shooting was done in Chandanwari, but Kashmir is Kashmir. It has its own signature,” he said.
Recalling his experiences of shooting in Kashmir, Ali said the support extended by locals had made the experience memorable.
“My shooting here has been wonderful and spectacular. People came out and helped us. Nobody complained. They went out of their way to help us,” he said.
He said local workers involved in film production gradually became an important part of the filmmaking process.
“We used to hire painters, carpenters and others. They were hardworking people, and gradually things started opening up,” he said.
Ali described the people of Kashmir as highly creative and sensitive, saying these qualities could prove valuable for the region’s emerging film industry.
“I feel Kashmiris are very sensitive and creative. They feel things deeply, and that is a very good quality. There is a certain grace in Kashmiris,” he said.
On the potential of Kashmir’s film industry, Ali said greater opportunities and government support were needed for local filmmakers and artists.
“We have to make films. If this festival continues to work hard, this place can become a hub for cinema. It can become a heaven for filmmakers,” he said.
He said an enabling environment could even attract internationally acclaimed filmmakers to the region.
“Even Steven Spielberg could come if you give him a reason to come,” he said.
Ali expressed hope that more films featuring Kashmiri actors, actresses and stories would emerge from the region.
“InshaAllah, there will be films in which Kashmir is there, and Kashmiri actors and actresses are there. I am looking forward to that,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of involving children in cinema and filmmaking from an early age.
“Children should also get involved in it,” he said.
Ali said Jammu and Kashmir had yet to fully explore its cultural identity through cinema despite its long association with filmmaking.
“We have not got over the landscape of Jammu and Kashmir. It will take many more years. Gradually, what is happening is that Kashmiri culture and music are coming into the picture. I think this is another opportunity that is available,” he said.
On working with Kashmiri talent, Ali reiterated that the region possessed qualities that could contribute significantly to filmmaking, particularly creativity and sensitivity.
Ali said the emergence of local talent would ultimately depend on creating more opportunities and platforms for filmmakers and artists.
He said the ongoing IFFJK could provide an important platform for filmmakers, artists and audiences to engage with cinema and help build a stronger film culture in Jammu and Kashmir. (KNO)
