Oscar-winning music composer A.R. Rahman has appealed to Indian and international film directors to actively resume on-location shooting across Jammu and Kashmir, urging cinematic storytellers to showcase the valley’s serene natural landscapes and rich cultural heritage rather than focusing predominantly on past conflict, according to coverage by Greater Kashmir.
Speaking at a regional cultural and creative arts forum in Srinagar, Rahman reflected on Kashmir’s historic prominence as the golden backdrop of classic Hindi cinema during the 1960s and 1970s. The veteran composer noted that contemporary film productions have a unique cultural capacity to convey narratives of peace, local artistic resilience, and communal harmony, providing a more balanced depiction of everyday life in the region.
Jammu and Kashmir administrative authorities have introduced streamlined single-window clearance mechanisms and specialized film subsidies under the updated J&K Film Policy to incentivize national and regional production houses to shoot in scenic locales across Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, and the Doodhpathri meadows. The policy initiative seeks to revitalize local tourism, generate employment for youth, and support local hospitality and production crew ecosystems.
Rahman expressed optimism regarding the revival of creative arts in the valley, noting that collaboration between local Kashmiri musicians, poets, and mainstream Indian cinema can foster meaningful cross-cultural artistic exchanges while opening global visibility for indigenous Kashmiri musical traditions.
