This Article is From May 17, 2013

Imtiaz Ali: There is much more to show in Kashmir than violence

Imtiaz Ali: There is much more to show in Kashmir than violence

Imtiaz Ali is shooting in Kashmir for his film Highway

Highlights

  • Bollywood director Imtiaz Ali said Kashmir is regarded as "special" by the people of the country, but lamented that the place has "not been accurately" portrayed by the Hindi film industry.
  • "Kashmir is regarded as special in the country... It is like the jewel of the country... But it is represented very little and I do share your sentiment that it has not being completely and accurately described. There have been films on Kashmir, but there is much more than what has been shown," Ali said during an interactive session organized by Media Department of Kashmir University here.
  • Ali said most of the films on Kashmir have been on the violence that was prevalent in the state in the last two decades.
  • "I do not have the numbers but I think there have been a lot of stories on violence in Kashmir. But there is much more to show than violence," he said.
  • The filmmaker, who is currently shooting his new film Highway in the valley, said that Kashmir apart from being the most beautiful place is the most sophisticated society.
  • "Kashmir is the most beautiful place I have seen in my life. I have been very attracted by Kashmiri culture... The way they eat, the way they cook and all that... It is the most sophisticated society I have known. I love Kashmir and I want to show it through my films," he said.
  • "I feel more pressure when I am shooting here as I keep on thinking that I better do justice to this place," he added.
  • The Jab We Met helmer said Kashmir has a lot of creative talent and expressed hope that youngsters will make a mark in the film industry.
  • "The standard of aesthetics is very high here. People are very creative and talented. I hope a lot of young people will come up with good ideas and prove themselves," he said.
  • The director, who also shot his last film Rockstar in the valley, is presently shooting Highway with actors Alia Bhatt and Randeep Hooda.
  • Ali also lauded the state government for encouraging filmmakers to shoot the movies in the valley.
  • "Government is keen to encourage filmmakers to come to Kashmir and the authorities are very helpful here," he said.
Srinagar: Bollywood director Imtiaz Ali said Kashmir is regarded as "special" by the people ofthe country, but lamented that the place has "not beenaccurately" portrayed by the Hindi film industry.

"Kashmir is regarded as special in the country... It islike the jewel of the country... But it is represented verylittle and I do share your sentiment that it has not beingcompletely and accurately described. There have been films onKashmir, but there is much more than what has been shown," Alisaid during an interactive session organized by MediaDepartment of Kashmir University here.

Ali said most of the films on Kashmir have been on theviolence that was prevalent in the state in the last twodecades.

"I do not have the numbers but I think there have beena lot of stories on violence in Kashmir. But there is muchmore to show than violence," he said.

The filmmaker, who is currently shooting his new filmHighway in the valley, said that Kashmir apart from beingthe most beautiful place is the most sophisticated society.

"Kashmir is the most beautiful place I have seen in mylife. I have been very attracted by Kashmiri culture... Theway they eat, the way they cook and all that... It is the mostsophisticated society I have known. I love Kashmir and I wantto show it through my films," he said.

"I feel more pressure when I am shooting here as I keep onthinking that I better do justice to this place," headded.

The Jab We Met helmer said Kashmir has a lot of creativetalent and expressed hope that youngsters will make a mark inthe film industry.

"The standard of aesthetics is very high here. People arevery creative and talented. I hope a lot of young people willcome up with good ideas and prove themselves," he said.

The director, who also shot his last film Rockstar inthe valley, is presently shooting Highway with actors AliaBhatt and Randeep Hooda.

Ali also lauded the state government for encouragingfilmmakers to shoot the movies in the valley.

"Government is keen to encourage filmmakers to come toKashmir and the authorities are very helpful here," he said.
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