Kashmir Is A Creative Sanctuary: CM Omar

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) Srinagar- Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday inaugurated the first International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), describing Kashmir as a“creative sanctuary” and calling for a new chapter in its longstanding relationship with cinema.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Omar said IFFJK was more than a celebration of films and represented an assertion that Jammu and Kashmir was ready to welcome the global creative community.

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“Kashmir is not just a location on a call sheet; it is a creative sanctuary, a home for global storytellers, and a voice that is ready to speak to the world,” he said.

The Chief Minister said Kashmir had historically occupied a special place in Indian cinema, recalling films including Junglee, Kashmir Ki Kali, Aradhana, Bobby, Silsila, Kabhi Kabhie and Jab Tak Hai Jaan.

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He recalled how Gulmarg and Dal Lake became part of the visual imagination of generations of Indians, referring to Shammi Kapoor's iconic“Yahoo!” sequence in Junglee, the imagery of Sharmila Tagore in Kashmir Ki Kali and the romance of Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia in Bobby.

Omar also acknowledged the contribution of filmmaker Yash Chopra, saying directors like him“did not just film here” but helped build a distinct visual language around Kashmir.

He cited more recent films including Mission Kashmir, Haider, Rockstar, Highway and Bajrangi Bhaijaan, and praised filmmakers Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Vishal Bhardwaj, Imtiaz Ali and Kabir Khan for presenting different dimensions of the region on screen.

The Chief Minister, however, stressed that J&K's cinematic identity should not remain confined to its landscapes.

'Do not just film our mountains'

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“Cinema is more than landscapes; cinema is culture,” Omar said, highlighting Kashmir's traditions of music, crafts and storytelling.

He referred to the region's Santoor and Rabab, Sufiyana Kalam and Rouff, as well as walnut wood carving, carpet weaving, Kahwa and the saffron fields of Pampore.

“When you bring your cameras to Jammu and Kashmir, do not just film our mountains. Seek out our stories. Talk to our artisans, listen to our musicians, walk through our old city lanes, and let the living, breathing culture of this land infuse your narratives,” he told filmmakers.

Omar said nostalgia alone could not build a sustainable film industry and called for a modern ecosystem supporting filmmakers through the entire production process.

Focus on filmmaker-friendly ecosystem

The Chief Minister said the government had introduced a single-window clearance mechanism under the Jammu & Kashmir Film Policy to simplify permissions for shooting.

A dedicated online portal, he said, would facilitate location approvals and security coordination through designated nodal officers.

He said the policy also provides financial incentives and production subsidies linked to shooting days and local expenditure, while encouraging productions to employ local artists, technicians and crew.

“We are building a robust local workforce of cinematographers, line producers, sound engineers, and actors so that you can arrive with a script and find everything else right here,” Omar said.

He further said the government intends to develop modern post-production facilities, equipment banks, film studios and film education institutions across J&K to create an end-to-end production ecosystem.

The Chief Minister said cinema should be viewed not merely as entertainment or a tool for film tourism, but as a full-fledged industry capable of generating employment, nurturing talent and strengthening cultural exchanges.

'Festival belongs to our young people'

Calling IFFJK a“declaration of intent”, Omar said the festival would provide young people in J&K an opportunity to interact with filmmakers and creative professionals from India and abroad.

He urged students and aspiring filmmakers to use the festival to explore opportunities in writing, direction, acting and other creative fields.

“Your stories matter. Your voices matter. The world is listening, and now, the world's screen is right here in your home,” he said.

Omar also appealed to participating filmmakers and delegates to take the message of J&K's readiness back to the wider film community.

“Tell your fellow filmmakers that Kashmir is open, safe, vibrant, and eager to welcome your crews,” he said.

Recalling some of his favourite Hindi film songs shot in J&K, the Chief Minister mentioned Kabhi Kabhie Mere Dil Mein, Tere Bina Zindagi Se from Aandhi and Yeh Vaada Raha, highlighting the region's deep association with Indian cinema.

He concluded by describing cinema as a universal language that transcends borders and connects people through shared human experiences before formally declaring the first International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir open.

Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Dr Jitendra Singh, several Governors and Lieutenant Governors, members of the Council of Ministers, former J&K Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah, Members of the J&K Legislative Assembly, filmmakers, eminent artists, jury members and other distinguished guests attended the inaugural ceremony.

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