Chief Minister Omar Abdullah opened the first International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) on Monday evening. He described this event as a new chapter in the region's long-standing ties with the world of cinema.
Omar reminded filmmakers across the country that Kashmir was long a filming location for movies even before Switzerland and other international locations became popular. He expressed hope that this trend would resume.
Vidhu Vinod Chopra, who grew up and studied in Srinagar, noted that IFFJK felt like an emotional homecoming for him. He urged young and emerging Kashmiri filmmakers to 'show the world what they are capable of.'
Actress Fatima Sana Shaikh, whose mother is from Kashmir, shared that returning to the valley after many years awakened childhood memories within her.