Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Sep 07
Bollywood actor Fatima Shaikh said on Monday that the International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir could give the region a platform to showcase its culture, stories and landscapes to audiences around the world.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the festival at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre, Shaikh said returning to Kashmir, where her mother is from, felt like coming home and brought back childhood memories.
“I am very happy to be here. It feels like home. I am excited to be part of the beginning of an international film festival here,” she said.
Shaikh said the participation of filmmakers and audiences from around 80 countries could give Jammu and Kashmir significant international exposure.
She described the festival as more than a film event, saying cinema could help connect people across cultures and encourage young people in the region to tell their own stories.
“We are here to inspire more youth to take up the camera and share stories of their country, city, town, home and family,” she said.
Shaikh said she had previously visited Kashmir only a few times for film shoots, but the festival had allowed her to experience the region differently.
She said local filmmakers could play an important role in presenting Kashmir’s landscape and culture to international audiences.
Shaikh also said visits by filmmakers from other countries could create deeper cultural links and eventually lead to stories about Kashmir being told by international filmmakers.
She stressed the importance of preserving regional stories, traditions, songs and oral histories through cinema.
The actor said the festival’s international reach could also help filmmakers and producers assess Jammu and Kashmir’s potential as a filming and tourism destination.
She said she planned to explore Kashmir with her family during her stay.
