Despite unrest, film shooting continues in Kashmir

Srinagar: Despite unrest for past few months, paralysing normal life in the Kashmir Valley, a film director, primarily working with South Indian cinema, has completed month-long shooting of his debut film “Rose Garden” in different parts of the Valley, including Dal Lake and Mughal gardens."We had some apprehension initially when we landed in Srinagar as there were only security forces on the streets," film director G Ravi Kumar said.(Picture : PTI)

Newcomers Nitin Nash and Farnaz Shetty, who are playing lead role in the film, said, "We were hearing about protests and violence in the Valley before arriving here for shooting. But once we started shooting we felt totally secure." This was dream come true for them to visit Kashmir, really a paradise on earth, they added.

Mr Kumar said he had met Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and Director General of Police K Rajinder Kumar who were very supportive."We have provided all facilities, including security during the shooting.We have completed about 80 percent shooting of the film which will be released in January next year.

" He said the film is being made in Telugu, which will also be released simultaneously in Hindi and Tamil languages. It is based on a love story between a Kashmiri Muslim girl and a Hindu journalist who had come the Valley to cover prevailing law and order and fall in love with each other."We have completed 80 percent shooting at several places like Sonmarg, world famous ski resort of Gulmarg, Tangmarg, Dal Lake, Botanical Garden and Mughal Gardens without facing any problem.

We hope people will like it." They said they did not face any problem despite unrest in the Kashmir Valley, where life remained crippled since July 9, a day after Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander Burhan Wani and two other militants were killed in an encounter in Anantnag, evoking massive protests.Subsequent violence left 86 people, mostly youths dead and several thousand wounded in security force and police action.

Strike, called by separatists, curfew and restrictions imposed by the authorities badly hit the tourism industry as all bookings were cancelled and film shooting units shifted to Shimla, Ladakh and other places.(UNI)