Cinema of Kashmir

Kashmiri cinema is Kashmiri language film industry in Kashmir Valley, India.^[1] First Kashmiri feature film Mainz Raat^[2] was released in 1964. Kashmir is famous destination when it comes to shooting of bollywood films^[3] and many Kashmiri actors are known in bollywood.^[4][5]

1960s to 1980s

First feature film Mainz Raat (Mehndi Raat/Henna ceremony) was released in 1964. It was directed by Jagjiram Pal and got great response from kashmiri people and was rewarded with president’s award. In 1972, Shayar-e-Kashmir Mahjoor was released. It was based on writer and poet of Mahjoor. Made in Urdu and Kashmiri language movie was a joint venture of the Department of Information of the Jammu & Kashmir and Prabhat Mukherjee.^[6] Than after a long gap of 39 years Babaji (Bub/father) was made and directed by Jyoti Sarup but it was not screened in Kashmir. A feature movie was produced in 1989 titled Inqalaab but due to the turbulent situations, it could not be released. Due to insurgency in 1989 film making culture of Kashmir was stopped and unofficial screening ban was imposed on bollywood films.^[7]

2000s and after

In 2006, Akh Daleel Loolech (A story of love) first digital feature film was premiered in India. It was directed by Aarshad Mushtaq and was about Kashmiri people's social and political struggle in 19th century.^[8] In 2012, Kashmir’s first 35mm feature film Partav was premiered.^[9] Valley of Saints was a 2012 romantic film set in Dal Lake, Srinagar, which also raises an environmental issue surrounding the lake and directed by Musa Syeed.

Television

Kazi Mushtaque Ahmed’s play Aatish-e-Kashmir

There were also many telefilms produced in Kashmir.^[6]

• Rasool Mir (1974–75) directed by Bashir Badgami;
• Habba Khatoon (1977-1978) by Bashir Badgami^[10]
• Arnimaal (1982–83) directed by Siraj Qureshi

Documentaries

First kashmiri film to be screened at the Cannes Film Festival was documentary film Pamposh (Lotus) made by Ezra Mir in 1952.^[6] Inshallah, Kashmir is a 2012 documentary film directed, produced and written by Ashvin Kumar. Others notable Documentaries are:

• Papa 2 (2000)
• Ocean of Tears (2012)

Closure of Cinema Halls in Valley

Cinema Halls in Kashmir including 7 halls in Srinagar were closed due to insurgency in 1989.^[11] In 1996, due to efforts of National Conference government Broadway Cinema followed by Regal Cinema and Neelam Cinema showed Kareeb of Vidhu Vinod Chopra. Also there were attacks on Cinema Halls after that due to which there is no cinema in Kashmir valley as of 2015 and DVD film piracy is flourishing over the time.^[12][13][14]

Revival efforts

The biggest problems in revival of Kashmiri film industry are budget problems, lack of financial support and absence of any proper government policy about local film industry.^[5] In 2014, Kashmiri filmmaker Ali Emran decided to shoot film in Kashmir based on novel, The Fountainhead.^[15] Kashmiri Film maker Rahat Kazmi's film Identity Card- Ek Lifeline (2014) bagged 3 awards in American International Film Festival.^[16] Film was also released worldwide.^[17] In November 2014, the Prime minister stressed for reviving Kashmiri film industry as it will provide jobs to many Kashmiri youth.^[18] In May 2015, superstar Salman Khan during shooting of Bajrangi Bhaijaan said that cinema halls in Kashmir should be opened.^[19] Imtiaz Ali also lauded the state government for encouraging filmmakers in the valley^[20] as Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed went to Mumbai for meeting bollywood industry personalities for this purpose.^[21]

See also

• Music of Kashmir
• Kashmiri literature

References

External links

• Should cinemas theatres be reopened in Kashmir?