The separatist camp is divided over Bollywood film shoots in the picturesque Kashmir valley while tourism stakeholders say filmmaking and star visits help attract more tourists to the place once called the “paradise on earth”.
“We have reservations on Bollywood filmmakers shooting their movies in Kashmir. This is not because we are against them but because they have never depicted the true picture of Kashmir in their movies,” said Ayaz Akbar, a close confidant of Hurriyat Conference hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani.
He said the filmmakers should highlight the “true picture” of Kashmir in their movies so that people can learn about the exact situation in the region.
On Sunday, students in the University of Kashmir protested against the shooting of Vishal Bhardwaj’s Shahid Kapoor-starrer Haider movie on the Naseembagh campus after objecting to the hoisting of the Tricolour atop a makeshift bunker.
Another senior separatist leader, Shabir Ahmad Shah, said the filmmakers could change opinion in India by highlighting the issues such as human rights violations, killing of 117 youth during the 2010 agitation, and the gangrape of women in Kunan Poshpora.
“Jammu and Kashmir is not a normal state. People are living under ‘Police Raj’. We only want them to highlight the Kashmir situation in its real perspective without any biases and prejudices”.
However, Bilal Gani Lone, executive member of the moderate Hurriyat faction led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, said Bollywood filmmakers and tourists were welcome in Kashmir. He said people associated with the tourism industry earned their livelihood from the visit of Bollywood stars and tourists.
“They are welcome here but should respect ethos and culture of the region. They should also understand our sensitivities and remain within the limits of morality,” Lone said.
Some portions of Shahrukh Khan-starrer Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012), Ranbir Kapoor-starrer Ye Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013), Rockstar (2011), Lamha (2010), 7 Khoon Maaf (2011), etc have been shot in Kashmir.