Srinagar, Jul 23: The red-carpet premiere of the Kashmiri feature film Tasrufdar – Djinns of Kashmir was held at INOX Cinema Srinagar on Thursday, bringing together filmmakers, actors and cinema enthusiasts to celebrate a story rooted in Kashmir’s folklore and shared cultural heritage.
Written, directed and produced by Kapil Mattoo under Mattoo Mania Productions in association with Walnut Creative Ideas Pvt Ltd and Safdar Arts, Tasrufdar draws inspiration from Kashmiri folklore and the mystical concept of Tasrufdar (jinns) to narrate a deeply human story of friendship, memory and reconciliation.
The film follows Mir, a middle-aged Kashmiri Muslim, who is haunted by the spirit of his late father’s childhood friend, Shamboo Nath, a Kashmiri Pandit, nearly 35 years after they were separated during the turmoil of 1990. Waiting between two chinar trees, the spirit seeks answers about the night that changed both their lives, leading to an emotional conversation on loss, memory and healing.
Blending Kashmir’s mystical folklore with the timeless vakhs of mystic poetess Lal Ded, the film explores themes of empathy, coexistence and the region’s composite cultural legacy.
The film stars Ashwath Bhatt, Bashir Lone, Shafia Maqbool, Aurooba Javed and Mir Sarwar, who also serves as associate producer under Safdar Arts. Umar Nisar has worked as the assistant director and data manager.
Speaking to Rising Kashmir, filmmaker Kapil Mattoo described the film as a “homecoming.”
“It is great to bring such a story to Kashmir. I think Kashmiris need to speak to each other, and that is what this story is all about,” he said.
Calling it a completely local production, Mattoo said, “It is a hundred per cent Kashmiri film. Everything has been done by Kashmiris. Regional cinema needs stories like these, and such films will help strengthen the local film industry.”
Actor Ashwath Bhatt said he was drawn to the project because of its honesty and its connection to his homeland.
“I have worked in different languages, and I felt it was time to work in Kashmiri, especially when the story is about my own home. The script was powerful, rooted, free of propaganda and full of honesty,” he said.
Bhatt said the Srinagar premiere was an emotional milestone in his career.
“It is an important day in my life because this is the first film of mine to be screened in Srinagar. It is a deeply emotional moment,” he said.
Actor and associate producer Mir Sarwar said he initially faced scheduling conflicts but eventually joined the project because of its compelling script.
“My dates were not matching initially, but we found time during Eid. The story was beautifully written, and the entire team has done wonderful work,” he said.
Emphasising the importance of regional storytelling, Sarwar added, “We have to tell our own stories and move forward. At the same time, audiences also need to come forward and support such films.”
Assistant director RJ Umar Nisar described the project as an emotional journey and expressed hope that films like Tasrufdar would help revive Kashmir’s film industry.
“We often say that we don’t have a film industry here, but making such films will give a boost to developing Kashmir’s own cinema,” he said.
“The film is about two friends who come together to talk despite their differences. I believe conversations always lead to solutions. Seeing my own work on the big screen is a dream come true,” he added.
