Srinagar, Sep 12: Renowned music composer A R Rahman on Saturday lauded the International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK), saying Kashmir has the potential to become one of India’s major destinations for international cinema and filmmakers.
Rahman, who is currently in Srinagar to shoot an advertisement, was speaking to media persons at the Royal Springs Golf Course.
“Kashmir is a beautiful place, so having an international film festival here is commendable. People can see the beauty and the vibration of Kashmir,” he said.
The music composer expressed hope that the festival would grow into a major international event and attract visitors from across the world.
“Talking about the film festival, it is a great opening. I wish it grows and becomes such a great experience. We go to Amsterdam and London for film festivals. I wish Kashmir becomes a festival place of India,” he said.
Describing Kashmir as an inspiration, Rahman said he enjoyed his current visit to the valley while shooting for an advertisement.
“Kashmir is an inspiration. It is beautiful and uncluttered. I was here to shoot an advertisement, and I enjoyed doing it,” he said.
The Oscar-winning composer also said he was planning to return to Kashmir for a live performance.
Rahman urged filmmakers to return to Kashmir and showcase the region’s natural beauty and peaceful environment through cinema.
“I want filmmakers to come back and shoot in Kashmir. They must show the beauty and peace in nature as a positive thing rather than anything about violence and the past. The past is past, but the future is bright,” he said.
Referring to Kashmir’s scenic beauty, Rahman also broke into the popular song “Yeh Haseen Wadiyan, Yeh Khula Aasman.”
He further backed greater collaboration between Bollywood musicians and Kashmiri folk artistes, saying the region has immense potential in traditional and folk music.
Recalling his association with the film Rockstar, Rahman said he had earlier travelled to Kashmir and recorded women singing traditional folk songs, some of which were later used in the film.
