We’re making J&K a global film destination: L-G Manoj Sinha
Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday said that his government is making an all-out effort to make Jammu and Kashmir a global film destination where the filmmakers can discover a diverse range of facilities and a leading hub for movie production. He said that J&K’s film tourism market is already on an upward trajectory, with more and more big-name Bollywood producers turning to the scenic Himalayan region for outdoor shootings.
He said, “We’re working on a model to build better film-shooting infrastructure on the lines of European countries. I remember Raj Kapoor loved to shoot his films in Kashmir. It wasn’t all about just shooting. There has been an organic relation between film shooting and cinema in J&K. We are trying to revive the Bollywood of yesteryears.”
Mr. Sinha who was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the J&K Film Conclave, an initiative to establish the Union territory as a Bollywood and Hollywood pitstop, asserted that in the last five years, “We’ve succeeded in reviving the cinema culture in J&K.”
He added, “We had rolled a film policy in 2021, but there were some gaps and loopholes. Today, we have launched the New Film Policy 2024 where all previous gaps have been filled. The new policy entails a single window cell that will make the film shooting easier for directors and producers interested in doing it in J&K. There will be ease in giving permissions for shooting and hiring local talent, as well.”
He said that efforts are afoot to provide a compact film eco-system to film shooting lovers, directors and producers. “There are subsidy grants in the new policy for the filmmakers- both veterans and beginners. This will help to give them a better platform,” he said, adding that the road connectivity to the possible film shooting locations is much better today.
The conclave being held in the lakeside Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre here will host a series of events for filmmakers, industry professionals and cinema enthusiasts.
In a series of posts on ‘X’, Mr. Sinha hoped that the J&K Film Policy 2024 unveiled by him will “attract, support and facilitate regional, national and international film production in the UT.”
Calling it film-friendly and pragmatic, Mr. Sinha said that the policy will ensure that heaven on earth is truly a heaven for filmmakers. “We'll provide high impact infra, support in sourcing locations and a large pool of professionals and financial incentives to make the filming more attractive in J&K,” he said.
He asserted that a slew of initiatives taken by the government will have a strong multiplier effect and play a pivotal role in developing J&K a global Film production hub. “A new initiative like J&K Film Screening Series is part of systemic and effective reforms to tap into a vibrant and youthful moviemaking culture and to provide space for emerging creators and film enthusiasts to exchange ideas on film aesthetics and strengthen Cine-club culture,” he said.
As a ‘Single Window Portal’ for film shooting permissions and film subsidy was launched on the occasion, the Lt. Governor said that it will “ensure efficient handling of intricate formalities and seamless release of subsidies.”
The screening of ‘Naya Jammu and Kashmir’ films, the launch of frames of transformation photography competition, inauguration of J&K film screening series, workshops on film making by leading film makers and panel discussions with eminent film personalities are other activities to be witnessed during the conclave.
While speaking on the occasion, well-known Bollywood director Madhur Bhandarkar said that Kashmir was apt for the film shooting and that the J&K Tourism Department must explore the offbeat and unexplored locations to give shooting a further fillip. “I have been visiting Kashmir frequently for the past 17 years. Sometimes, I visit this place twice a year. I have many friends here. The food and locations are amazing. The policies introduced by the J&K administration to promote film shooting is appreciable. The locations here are breath-taking, and I urge the Tourism department to explore the unexplored off beat locations for film shooting,” he said.
He said that the conclave will send a “big message” across the film industry in India and lure film directors and producers to Kashmir. “The single window initiative introduced by the J&K administration is quite appreciable. At the end of the day, we need ease in shooting and the step taken by the J&K administration led by Mr. Sinha deserves applause,” he added.