Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Sep 07
Filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra on Monday described his participation in the first International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir as an emotional return to the region where he grew up and studied.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of IFFJK 2026, Chopra recalled his childhood and education in Kashmir and urged young people to have confidence in their abilities.
“Kashmir is home to me. I am from Kashmir,” Chopra said, recalling his years at Srinagar’s SP College and his journey from Amira Kadal into the film industry.
“For me, this is an emotional moment,” he said.
Chopra said Jammu and Kashmir had significant creative talent and encouraged young people to show their abilities to audiences beyond the region.
“My request to the youth is not to let yourselves down. I see so much talent here. My request to you is to show the world what you can do,” he said.
He described the festival as an opportunity for young filmmakers to see films and interact with filmmakers from around the world.
Chopra also said his education in Kashmir had shaped his career, noting that he learned English at school in the region.
He said Kashmir had its own stories that deserved to be told.
“We have our own stories. If a festival like IFFJK happens in Kashmir, then stories of Kashmir will be told,” he said.
