Srinagar, Sep 07: Acclaimed filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra on Monday described the first International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK) as a “homecoming”, saying the event could mark a new beginning for the region’s film industry and provide a platform for Kashmiri stories to reach audiences across the world.
Speaking at the film festival here, Chopra expressed gratitude to the government for organising the event, recalling his roots in Kashmir and his education at SP College.
“I am grateful to the government for taking such a step. I am from Kashmir and studied here too. This film festival is really a homecoming for me. This event can be a good beginning,” he said.
Recalling his early struggles, Chopra said he had decided to pursue filmmaking while studying at SP College despite opposition from his family.
“I was studying in SP College when I told my father that I wanted to be a filmmaker. He slapped me,” he said, recalling the challenges he faced before entering the film industry.
The filmmaker said he later became a National Scholar from SP College and received a scholarship of Rs 250, which he used to travel to Mumbai and pursue his dream of becoming a filmmaker.
“I did not have money to go to the film industry. I became a National Scholar from India while studying at SP College and got a scholarship of Rs 250. I went to Bollywood with that amount,” he said.
Encouraging young filmmakers across the country, Chopra said financial difficulties should not prevent aspiring filmmakers from pursuing their dreams.
Urging Kashmiri youth to make use of the opportunities available to them, Chopra said Kashmir has immense talent and called upon local filmmakers to pick up cameras and tell their own stories.
“Kashmiris are talented. I would request Kashmiri filmmakers to take a camera and make films. This festival is a great platform,” he said.
Chopra, who recently celebrated his birthday, said his visit to Gulmarg had made the occasion particularly emotional for him as he reflected on his journey from Kashmir to Bollywood.
“It was my birthday two days ago and I was in Gulmarg. It is an emotional moment for me. I also come from Kashmir and reached Bollywood, and you too can,” he said.
The filmmaker has shot films including Mission Kashmir and Shikara in the region and said he intends to continue working in Kashmir.
“I have shot films like Mission Kashmir and Shikara and will shoot more films,” he said.
Chopra said the film festival was particularly significant because it was being held in Kashmir and could provide a platform for stories from the region that have remained largely unheard.
“This film festival is different because it is being held in Kashmir. There are stories here that are not anywhere else in India. This is the festival where our stories will go out to the world,” he said.
