Jammu (NVI): Inviting the film industry to explore the picturesque settings of Kashmir Valley, J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today said that the administration is dedicated towards making the Union Territory the most favourite destination among filmmakers worldwide and would like to bring back the golden 1980s era, when several hit Bollywood movies were shot there.
“J&K Government is all set to welcome the film-makers from all over the world again. We want to bring back the 1980s era to the film industry in J&K and make Union Territory the most favourite destination of filmmakers worldwide,” LG Sinha said while releasing renowned singer Jubin Nautiyal’s music album ‘Tujhe Bhoolna Toh Chaha’ at General Zorawar Singh Auditorium, University of Jammu here.
Made under the banner of T-Series and filmed in the picturesque settings of Kashmir valley, the song also features Abhishek Singh, an IAS and actor, and Samreen Kaur from the beautiful Union Territory.
Speaking on the occasion, the Lt Governor termed the occasion yet another milestone in the direction of making J&K- a preferred shooting destination for the filmmakers.
“The aesthetic beauty of J&K has been beautifully captured through the song. It also marks the revival of J&K’s halcyon days of being a cinematographer’s delight,” he said.
The LG observed that J&K has always been a famous film-shooting destination. “The golden era is back and many filmmakers are ready to shoot their movies, web series and music albums in the UT,” he said.
The coming of several famous film personalities like Imtiaz Ali, Irshad Kamil, Madhur Bhandarkar, Siddharth Roy Kapur and other big names and production houses to the UT in the last few months has once again deepened the connect between J&K and the film industry, he said.
Highlighting the reformative measures being taken by the UT Government for making J&K a hub for filmmaking, the LG observed that the UT administration has developed one of the finest Film Policies which will revive J&K’s incredible glory in Indian Cinema.
“For facilitating the filmmakers, and encouraging the local talent, besides providing more livelihood opportunities to the youth, the J&K Administration has recognized Film as an industry,” he added.
“Government has assured Single Window Clearance, security and world-class facilities to the filmmakers coming to the UT,” the LG asserted.
He further said that film-shooting will not only develop the tourism sector, but will also give fillip to the socio economic development of the region, besides opening up more avenues and opportunities for the local youth, artists and technicians.
Recalling his interaction with prominent film personalities during his visit to Mumbai, the LG observed that the film industry is ready to capture the pristine beauty, breath-taking natural settings & serene valleys of J&K and showcase it on the silver screen.
“Once again, the natural beauty and untapped potential of J&K will be put up in the canvas of cinema worldwide. Work is underway to develop Film city, Film Training Institute, production house and National School of Drama’s regional campus in the UT in coming days,” the Lt Governor said.
The LG also expressed his gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi for encouraging the film-makers from across the country to shoot their films in J&K. He also thanked the PM for allocation of Rs 786 cr for promotion of Tourism in J&K, which is Rs 509 cr more as compared to the previous year.
To unlock J&K’s vast tourism potential, the UT Government is laying special focus on developing tourism infrastructure, besides promoting unexplored tourist places of the UT and tourists locations of Jammu including Patnitop, Mansar, Surinsar, Rajouri, Poonch and Kishtwar.
“Tourist circuit is being prepared to connect the potential Tourist places in and around Jammu to attract film-makers and tourists,” said the Lt Governor.
LG Sinha also felicitated the artists of the music album on the occasion and asked the youth to take inspiration from them and follow their own passion.
Sharing his experiences, Jubin Nautiyal called J&K the most beautiful place in the world. He urged the filmmakers from across the world to come to Kashmir Valley and experience its beauty.
Abhishek Singh, IAS, who is the leading actor of the newly released song, expressed his gratitude towards the J&K Government for the support provided during the filming and promotion of the song.
Live performances by Jubin Nautiyal and Abhishek Singh, supported by the artists of Saptak music band, received a standing ovation from the audience.
Jubin Nautiyal also infused the patriotic spirit in the celebrations of ‘Azaadi ka Amrut Mahotsav’ by singing a patriotic song.
Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to the LG; Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to LG; Ramesh Kumar, CEO, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board; Dr. Raghav Langer, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, senior officers, faculty members of Jammu University, and scores of students attended the launching event.
-ARK
