SRINAGAR: Bollywood actress Sadia Khateeb, who hails from the scenic town of Bhaderwah in Doda district, has called for substantial investment in regional cinema and theatre infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, emphasising the need to showcase the region’s rich cultural heritage on the global cinematic stage.
In an exclusive conversation with a news agency, Sadia stressed that the stories of Jammu and Kashmir go far beyond the dominant political and conflict-related narratives. “Other than politics and violence, Jammu and Kashmir has a rich culture, traditions, love stories, success stories, educational and empowerment stories, that need to be shown to the world,” she said.
The actress, who made her debut in Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Shikara (2020) and later appeared in Rakshabandhan alongside Akshay Kumar, believes the region’s untapped talent pool and compelling storytelling traditions deserve a structured industry to flourish. “It is my dream that J&K should have its own film industry. Our youth should write good stories, and talented actors should be there on the silver screen,” she said.
Sadia’s latest film, The Diplomat, a human drama based on the real-life ordeal of Uzma Ahmed, has received critical acclaim and became a sleeper hit in theatres earlier this year. It is now trending on Netflix. “I am happy that there has not been a single negative review about my performance or the film. The kind of response I got… is extraordinary,” she said, adding that she’s now hopeful the success will open more doors for meaningful roles.
Comparing the trajectory of other regional film industries, she said, “Punjabi, Telugu, Malayalam and Bhojpuri cinema have scaled heights. It’s not impossible for Jammu and Kashmir to do the same. We have the stories, the talent, and now we need the infrastructure and investment.”
Sadia appealed to the government to support regional cinema. “Traditional cinema needs exposure. Local artists must come forward and write good scripts. The government must invest in theatres and film production here,” she said, arguing that such development could aid in economic and social progress.
She also reflected on her personal journey, recalling how one phone call changed her life and led her to Bollywood. From playing a young Kashmiri woman in Shikara to a courageous survivor in The Diplomat, Sadia’s career has taken emotionally demanding turns. She recalled how the harrowing scenes from The Diplomat left a deep emotional impact. “It wasn’t a nice feeling at all… but it made me realise what I could do as an actor.”
Currently, she is filming Dadi Ki Shaadi, a comedy family drama with Kapil Sharma, Neetu Kapoor and Riddhima Kapoor Sahni. She will also be seen in an untitled project by Omung Kumar. Sadia says these new roles have brought a refreshing change after intense performances in earlier films. “I’ve never had this much fun on a film set before,” she said of her time shooting in Shimla.
Back in Kashmir for Eid-ul-Adha this year, Sadia said the recent Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor made her reunion with her family even more emotional. “I am meeting my dad after eight months. Raunak aur khushi kisko bolte hain wo pata chalta hai yahaan is din,” she said, urging tourists not to let isolated tragedies define their perception of Kashmir. “One tragedy cannot define the whole city or the whole community. Kashmir is still one of the most beautiful and joyful places in the world.”
The actress, who has her heart set on performing in a period drama next, “I want to play a maharani in an ethnic dress with all the jewellery”, hopes her growing body of work can one day contribute to a cultural resurgence in her home region.
“Regional cinema can be a powerful tool not just for storytelling, but for identity, economy and self-expression,” she concluded. “It is high time we show the world the other side of Jammu and Kashmir.”
