Srinagar: Oscar-winning music composer A R Rahman on Saturday said Kashmir is beautiful, uncluttered, and an inspiring place, and urged filmmakers to celebrate the region’s peace and natural beauty rather than violence and conflict.
Rahman, who was in the Union Territory to shoot an advertisement, called for cinema to help reshape the narrative around Kashmir.
When asked about Bollywood’s role in promoting the Valley’s picturesque locales and rich culture, the music maestro said the focus should be on showing harmony rather than the past strife.
“I think that is what should happen from now. They should bring the beauty and the peace, what you see in nature, as a positive thing, than taking anything about violence or the past. The past was past, the future is bright,” Rahman told reporters.
“As artists, we seek inspiration. And when we come here, it is uncluttered, beautiful, and it inspires us,” he added.
Describing Kashmir as a beautiful and blessed place, Rahman said it was commendable that the union territory hosted its first-ever International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Everybody can see the beauty of Kashmir and the vibration of Kashmir. I wish this film festival becomes really famous and a lot of people come here and enjoy the hospitality of the Kashmiri people,” he said.
“This is a great idea. And I wish it will grow and grow, and become beautiful, and become such a great experience. Like we go to, Amsterdam, and we go to London Film Festival, or all those places, Sundance. I wish Kashmir becomes the best festival of India,” he added.
The internationally-acclaimed composer said he enjoyed shooting for the ad in Kashmir and hopes to perform in the valley soon.
“We have some plans and we are talking. Hopefully, I want to come and perform here,” he said.
He also welcomed the suggestion of greater collaboration between Bollywood and folk musicians from J&K.
“I would love to because I came here for ‘Rockstar’ and I recorded ladies singing folk songs, and we used it in ‘Rockstar’. And we want to come and do more things here,” he said.
