Suhail Khan
SOPORE, Oct 14: Tariq Bhat, a resident of Sopore town, that was once known as a hotbed of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir is among the filmmakers and screenwriters who is soon to release his first movie filmed in Kashmir. ‘Zindagi Tumse’, Tariq’s debut film with a strong cast, has already received widespread appreciation in Bollywood. The filmmaker, who made his debut in 2019 said that his film is mainly known for innovations. The two awards for his debut movie corroborate his statement. However, after much hard work, the Sopore-based filmmaker is about to release his dream project film “Welcome to Kashmir” which will hit theatres very soon.Talking exclusively with Kashmir Despatch, the Sopore-born filmmaker said his film touches issues related to women empowerment, women safety, drugs, the real image of Kashmiris and the brave police force of J&K (UT). Tariq believes that the sacrifice of the Jammu and Kashmir police is beyond words, as they have fought with batons and protected the state from enemies. “In this film, I have depicted the true image of the Jammu and Kashmir police, their dedication, efforts, and hard work,” he said. Tariq said that in Kashmir there are a lot of grave issues which need redressal and, “I have showcased the same in this movie, especially how our youth are being involved in drugs.”“If militancy poses 15 per cent problems in Kashmir, then what about the remaining 85%?” he asked, while dwelling on many other issues being faced by an ordinary Kashmiri. He said earlier the movies which were shot in Kashmir depicted the militancy-related issues while the valley had other pressing issues too, including women empowerment, drugs etc, apart from some positives like tourism and hospitality. He said in his movie, around 90% of the casting has been done from local artists only, and the most important part is that the lead actress is from Sopore town.He said the main characters are a female lead (Mateena Rajput, 24) from Kashmir. Rajput is a Kashmiri model and actress. She has done many advertisements for J&K tourism and now she is doing the main lead in the movie ‘Welcome To Kashmir’. The male lead is being done by Ahmad Shahab, 25, also from Kashmir. Shahab has done many modelling shoots before and even some music videos also. In the latest movie, Mateena Rajput plays the role of a brave girl, whose life is dedicated to women empowerment and fighting for their justice. Her passion is to visit every girl school and college in the country, motivate the girls through her speeches, and give them safety tips. She always believes that women are stronger than men, but because of their kind nature, they always become a victim. The filmmaker said, “We shot this movie at almost every beautiful location in Kashmir like Gurez Valley, Srinagar and mostly in Sopore areas like Watlab, Wular Lake, Rampora, Rajpora, and many other areas of Sopore.” He said the main motive behind this project is to showcase the nature of Kashmiri people across the world. “Besides we want to showcase the potential of Kashmiri artists. ‘Welcome To Kashmir’ is the first of its kind movie which is done by the Kashmiris for the Kashmiris. Although it is a Bollywood Hindi feature film to be released all over India as well as in Kashmir. “Once this movie hits the screens, I am pretty sure it will make history because, as I told you, Sopore was known and depicted for its negative image but I am sure that perception will change after this movie is released,” he said.“Welcome To Kashmir” is a movie through which all the aspects have been covered, he said, adding that “it is totally a different movie from the previous released movies like Kashmir files, which have hurt the sentiments of the people of this region.” While citing examples, he said in the previous movies shot in Kashmir, the filmmakers have only shown a few houseboats besides destruction by showing images of terrorism. “Though they respect Kashmir and its people, the movies they shot here only show negative aspects of life. My movie is different because I have shown positivity which many of the filmmakers have failed to do,” he said.He said militancy is not the problem of Kashmir. “It is sponsored by other countries.” He said ‘Welcome to Kashmir’ will show Kashmir’s hospitality and culture besides the genuine issues including drug de-addiction, and women empowerment. Tariq claimed to have rejected offers from Mumbai-based producers who, according to him, had insisted on showing ‘a negative image of Kashmir’.“The producers outside J&K believe that there are only bomb blasts, encounters, militancy destruction etc to be shot for movies. I told them this is not a real image which has been shared with you. The real images are different in Kashmir, which I could come up with in my movie. The reason was also to provide a platform to Kashmiri artists.” Tariq said that the other Bollywood filmmakers shoot in Kashmir and make movies worth hundreds of crores, but every single film portrays Kashmir negatively, with Kashmiri people and police acting as villains. He said ‘Welcome to Kashmir’ deals with a true image of Kashmir and will show the real talent, culture, behaviour and beauty of Kashmir.From hotbed of militancy to Bollywood businessSopore’s tryst with ‘Welcome to Kashmir’ Suhail KhanSOPORE, Oct 14: Tariq Bhat, a resident of Sopore town, that was once known as a hotbed of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir is among the filmmakers and screenwriters who is soon to release his first movie filmed in Kashmir. ‘Zindagi Tumse’, Tariq’s debut film with a strong cast, has already received widespread appreciation in Bollywood. The filmmaker, who made his debut in 2019 said that his film is mainly known for innovations. The two awards for his debut movie corroborate his statement. However, after much hard work, the Sopore-based filmmaker is about to release his dream project film “Welcome to Kashmir” which will hit theatres very soon.Talking exclusively with Kashmir Despatch, the Sopore-born filmmaker said his film touches issues related to women empowerment, women safety, drugs, the real image of Kashmiris and the brave police force of J&K (UT). Tariq believes that the sacrifice of the Jammu and Kashmir police is beyond words, as they have fought with batons and protected the state from enemies. “In this film, I have depicted the true image of the Jammu and Kashmir police, their dedication, efforts, and hard work,” he said. Tariq said that in Kashmir there are a lot of grave issues which need redressal and, “I have showcased the same in this movie, especially how our youth are being involved in drugs.”“If militancy poses 15 per cent problems in Kashmir, then what about the remaining 85%?” he asked, while dwelling on many other issues being faced by an ordinary Kashmiri. He said earlier the movies which were shot in Kashmir depicted the militancy-related issues while the valley had other pressing issues too, including women empowerment, drugs etc, apart from some positives like tourism and hospitality. He said in his movie, around 90% of the casting has been done from local artists only, and the most important part is that the lead actress is from Sopore town.He said the main characters are a female lead (Mateena Rajput, 24) from Kashmir. Rajput is a Kashmiri model and actress. She has done many advertisements for J&K tourism and now she is doing the main lead in the movie ‘Welcome To Kashmir’. The male lead is being done by Ahmad Shahab, 25, also from Kashmir. Shahab has done many modelling shoots before and even some music videos also. In the latest movie, Mateena Rajput plays the role of a brave girl, whose life is dedicated to women empowerment and fighting for their justice. Her passion is to visit every girl school and college in the country, motivate the girls through her speeches, and give them safety tips. She always believes that women are stronger than men, but because of their kind nature, they always become a victim. The filmmaker said, “We shot this movie at almost every beautiful location in Kashmir like Gurez Valley, Srinagar and mostly in Sopore areas like Watlab, Wular Lake, Rampora, Rajpora, and many other areas of Sopore.” He said the main motive behind this project is to showcase the nature of Kashmiri people across the world. “Besides we want to showcase the potential of Kashmiri artists. ‘Welcome To Kashmir’ is the first of its kind movie which is done by the Kashmiris for the Kashmiris. Although it is a Bollywood Hindi feature film to be released all over India as well as in Kashmir. “Once this movie hits the screens, I am pretty sure it will make history because, as I told you, Sopore was known and depicted for its negative image but I am sure that perception will change after this movie is released,” he said.“Welcome To Kashmir” is a movie through which all the aspects have been covered, he said, adding that “it is totally a different movie from the previous released movies like Kashmir files, which have hurt the sentiments of the people of this region.” While citing examples, he said in the previous movies shot in Kashmir, the filmmakers have only shown a few houseboats besides destruction by showing images of terrorism. “Though they respect Kashmir and its people, the movies they shot here only show negative aspects of life. My movie is different because I have shown positivity which many of the filmmakers have failed to do,” he said.He said militancy is not the problem of Kashmir. “It is sponsored by other countries.” He said ‘Welcome to Kashmir’ will show Kashmir’s hospitality and culture besides the genuine issues including drug de-addiction, and women empowerment. Tariq claimed to have rejected offers from Mumbai-based producers who, according to him, had insisted on showing ‘a negative image of Kashmir’.“The producers outside J&K believe that there are only bomb blasts, encounters, militancy destruction etc to be shot for movies. I told them this is not a real image which has been shared with you. The real images are different in Kashmir, which I could come up with in my movie. The reason was also to provide a platform to Kashmiri artists.” Tariq said that the other Bollywood filmmakers shoot in Kashmir and make movies worth hundreds of crores, but every single film portrays Kashmir negatively, with Kashmiri people and police acting as villains. He said ‘Welcome to Kashmir’ deals with a true image of Kashmir and will show the real talent, culture, behaviour and beauty of Kashmir.
