SRINAGAR: Kashmiri movie veterans have shined a harsh light on Bollywood’s trite scripts confining J&K’s depiction to “scenic beauty, skullcaps that few in the Valley actually wear and AK-47s carried under pherans and long beards”, while calling for strengthening indigenous filmmaking.Speakers reeled off such gripes at a seminar organised in Srinagar on Saturday by Kashmir Music Club, run by popular singer Waheed Jeelani.“We have stronger stories here and there is a need to develop them,” actor Umar Imtiyaz said as he took potshots at Bollywood for dishing out its familiar fare of “skullcaps, long beards and AK-47s under pherans (long, loose-fitting garments worn by Kashmiris in winter)”. Imtiyaz argued that it was time to challenge such stereotypical representations.Echoing the sentiment, filmmaker Ayash Arif called for a focus on regional cinema that blends local concerns with a broader global outlook. He criticised J&K govt’s film policy, arguing it was more of a tourism blueprint aimed at encouraging filmmakers from elsewhere to shoot in the region due to its scenic beauty. What is needed, Arif said, is a roadmap aimed at promoting…
Kashmir film fraternity trains guns on Bollywood’s ‘AK-47 & skullcap’ stereotype
In short
Kashmiri cinema figures speaking at a Srinagar seminar challenged mainstream cinema's persistent visual clichés, urging regional storytellers to produce authentic local narratives. Participants simultaneously criticized the Jammu and Kashmir government’s 2022 film policy for focusing on tourism incentives instead of cultivating indigenous talent. Filmmakers pointed out that while the policy offers subsidies and streamlined shooting permissions, it lacks concrete avenues to finance regional projects. Consequently, industry leaders are urging local creatives to foster a self-reliant sector without depending entirely on external opportunities.
Key points
- Local filmmakers are urged to build a self-reliant industry rather than relying on extern…: Local filmmakers are urged to build a self-reliant industry rather than relying on external opportunities.
- Regional artists believe government film incentives currently favor visiting productions…: Regional artists believe government film incentives currently favor visiting productions over homegrown creative talent.
- Storytellers must establish an independent artistic identity to counter reductionist visu…: Storytellers must establish an independent artistic identity to counter reductionist visual tropes of Jammu and Kashmir.