Onlykashmir.in News Desk
Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan on Wednesday said Jammu and Kashmir carries the potential to once again become a preferred destination for filmmakers from India and abroad, a statement that carried particular weight given the region’s storied but interrupted cinematic history.
Addressing the inaugural International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir, Murugan framed the event as an extension of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to encourage filmmakers to shoot and create in Kashmir. He pointed to the region’s distinctive landscapes and its long cinematic heritage, expressing confidence that both factors position it well for a renewed role in Indian and global filmmaking.
The Minister situated the festival within a larger national push, noting that India is emerging as a major global hub for media, digital content and virtual reality. He referenced government initiatives such as the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit, along with programmes designed to support content creators and strengthen film production infrastructure, as part of a coordinated effort to build out the creative economy.
Murugan also stressed the importance of equipping young people with industry relevant skills, saying the government’s focus remains on nurturing talent, strengthening industry linkages and ensuring access to quality infrastructure. He noted the increasing participation of Jammu and Kashmir’s youth in filmmaking, scriptwriting and digital storytelling, and voiced hope that the festival would open new opportunities for local talent while fostering collaboration with the wider creative industry.
Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Chanchal Kumar, echoed this outlook, saying the region’s landscapes, literature, music and traditions carry significant potential to position Jammu and Kashmir as both a filmmaking destination and a hub for creative enterprises. He said the region’s cinematic journey could be strengthened by connecting local talent with filmmakers, producers, mentors and audiences across India and the world.
Kumar pointed to initiatives such as the Create Indian Challenge and WAVES Bazaar as avenues through which young creators can build skills, showcase their work and connect with industry buyers, investors and collaborators. He also encouraged Kashmiri youth to explore opportunities at the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies in Mumbai, calling for outreach, workshops and guidance to bring such opportunities closer to young people.
The Secretary added that professional film productions involving local talent as trainees and crew members could offer practical exposure, and expressed hope the festival would grow into a sustained platform linking local stories with producers and promising projects with opportunities.
