Film City in J&K will open up new vistas

Jammu and Kashmir is all set to have a film city of its own, a statement which was unimaginable in the last thirty years, seems a
dream come true for the movie makers and cinema goers alike. The statement issued on Tuesday, however, did not reveal the
place or location where the proposed Film City will be established but for all probabilities it would be Kashmir valley only. The
idea of having a Film City in Kashmir cropped up soon after the special status of Jammu Kashmir was done away with on
August 05, 2019. However, the idea got further momentum after the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha took over the charge in
the Union Territory. He has shown extraordinary enthusiasm to make the idea into a reality soon. Obliviously, a lot of dedicated
efforts were required to materialize the Film City project with consistent follow up and coordination at various levels, as there
needed good amount investment, entrepreneurship and many stakeholders.
The sequence of events shows that before inviting film makers and creation of requisite infrastructure of film making in
Kashmir, the government formulated the Film Policy of the UT and aggressively pursued the reality of having latest 3D Cinema
Halls well equipped ultra-audio and projection technology. Following the inauguration of two multiplex cinema halls in Pulwama
and Shopian, the UT Government is pushing the idea of building multi-purpose cinema halls in all the districts of J&K. The new
cinema halls and ongoing film shootings will renew the beautiful bond between Jammu Kashmir and the Indian Film Industry
and will promote the local talent and create ample employment opportunities.
Manoj Sinha said that the new Film Policy has been rolled out with special provisions and incentives for encouraging local
youth to take up film as a career. According to Sinha, the Administration is in talks with various stakeholders and has identified
the land for developing Film City in the UT and the facility will come-up in the UT soon. The Younger generation has a strong
urge to see a better society, to learn about other cultures, and to become part of an interdependent world. And, it is the
responsibility of the administration to provide them opportunities and support,' the Lt Governor added. He also lauded the UT
Administration for the transformation taking place in Kashmir, through opening of cinema halls, which has a great legacy of film-
making and a massive film loving population.
While the latest blueprints of the proposed Film City and its exact location are not yet cleared,
the initial proposal in 2019 was to have it spread over 12 sq km. It was likely to be established by Abu
Dhabi-based businessman BR Shetty, who has announced to invest $1 billion in Jammu and Kashmir for
the promotion of cinema and tourism. A team of J&K officials was also supposed to have met Shetty
during their visit to Abu Dhabi to attract investors in J&K and the film city was part of the agenda.
Notwithstanding, whosoever is the entrepreneur and promoter, the project of Film City had been
potentially viable had the turmoil not engulfed Kashmir valley. Kashmir valley, with its scenic beauty
and tremendous charm, had a legacy of being the first love for film shooting by Bollywood. The Film
City project if materialized will open a new vista of economic boom and business integration with
mainstream.