Kashmir’s Filmmakers Get New Platform Through IFFJK: Actor Mir Sarwar

Srinagar| Sept, 09: Prominent Bollywood actor and filmmaker Mir Sarwar has welcomed the International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK), describing it as a “good initiative” and saying that any shortcomings in the inaugural edition can be addressed through feedback and experience.
Speaking on the sidelines of the festival, Sarwar appreciated the organisers for creating a platform where filmmakers and artists from Jammu and Kashmir, as well as from outside the region, could showcase their work and engage with a wider audience.
He said the festival had provided local audiences, particularly young people, an opportunity to watch subtitled films, world cinema and international productions, besides attending masterclasses and discussions with filmmakers and industry professionals.
“This is definitely a very good platform and a very good initiative,” Sarwar said, adding that the festival could help place Jammu and Kashmir more prominently on the map of international cinema.
Sarwar said that the international character of the festival could encourage filmmakers from different parts of the world to discover Jammu and Kashmir as a destination for cinema and filmmaking.
“It is not that they were unaware of Kashmir earlier, but as filmmakers, they will now definitely recognise the region in a better way. They will get an opportunity to come here, and we will get an opportunity to watch good films,” he said.
The actor particularly highlighted the opportunity created for local filmmakers working in different languages. He said filmmakers producing films in Kashmiri, Hindi, Urdu, Dogri, Pahari, Gojri and other languages had received a platform to showcase their work.
“The biggest advantage is that our local filmmakers, whether they make films in Kashmiri, Hindi, Urdu, Dogri, Pahari, Gojri or any other language, have got a platform to showcase their films,” Sarwar said.
Welcoming the festival, Sarwar acknowledged that there could be shortcomings in its first edition but expressed confidence that feedback from filmmakers and artists would help improve future editions.
“There may have been some shortcomings this time. I am sure that after receiving feedback, these issues can be addressed in the next edition,” he said.
His remarks came amid discussions among some filmmakers and artists over aspects of the festival, including concerns about adequate representation and opportunities for local artists and filmmakers. Sarwar said such feedback should be taken positively and addressed in subsequent editions.
Sarwar also spoke about his own association with the festival, saying two films featuring him were part of the event. One of them, “TTasrufdar (Djinns of Kashmir)”, a Kashmiri-language short film, has Sarwar as both producer and one of the lead actors and was scheduled to be screened during the festival.
He also acted in “Love in Vietnam”, directed by filmmaker Rahat Kazmi, which was screened a day earlier. Sarwar said another film associated with the festival was made by writer-director Kapil Mattu.
The actor also used the occasion to offer advice to young people aspiring to enter the creative industries. He urged them to identify their talents, understand their passions and develop their skills with dedication.
“My suggestion and advice to young people is to work on your talent, identify your passion, recognise your skills, develop them and try to turn them into a career,” he said.
Calling for greater encouragement of the arts at the grassroots level, Sarwar urged parents to recognise the talents of their children and encouraged schools and the government to promote theatre education.
He said theatre should be made part of school education not necessarily to make every student an actor, but to help develop personality, confidence and communication skills.
The inaugural IFFJK has brought together filmmakers, actors, artists and cinema enthusiasts, while offering audiences in Jammu and Kashmir exposure to films from different parts of the country and the world. Sarwar’s remarks underscored the potential of such a platform to strengthen the region’s engagement with the wider film community and provide greater visibility to its emerging cinematic talent.