What comes to your mind when you hear the word Kashmir? ‘Heaven On Earth’, followed by army, militants, protests, stone pelting etc. Director, Tourism of the state, Mahmood Ahmad Shah believes this is not what Kashmir is. The valley, with beautiful meadows, lakes, snow-capped peaks, and some lush green gardens is peace loving and always welcomes everyone with open arms. He feels, films like Salman Khan starrer Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Imran Khan’s Sargoshiyan will help change the perception of people towards Kashmir.
“Kashmir used to be favourite Bollywood destination, before the onset of militancy. There was a time, when films seemed to be incomplete if they were not shot in Kashmir. The state has been instrumental in building the career of various actors. Fantastic songs from 60s and 70s were shot in the state, they were so nostalgic,” Mahmood Khan said.
Unfortunately, the period of turmoil came and filmmakers stopped shooting in the Kashmir. But the films like Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Fitoor brought a ray of hope. Mahmood Khan said that during the post militancy era, most of the films revolved around the militancy, so it portrayed Kashmir negatively. Then came the films like Bajrangi Bhaijaan and now Sargoshiyan, which primarily focus on love. So, now romance is finding its way back to the script. I am sure these films will change the perception of people towards Kashmir,” he said.
Mahmood Ahmad Shah saw Sargoshiyan for the first time and fell in love with the film. He said, “Imran is very dear to me, I was personally there on the sets while they were shooting. I have told him various things about Kashmir, and he has incorporated some of my ideas in his film. I am seeing the film for the first time and it has come out very well.”
Imran, who is currently seen in Sony Entertaintment’s Beyhadh said, “I am overwhelmed, Mahmood ji took time off his busy schedule to see our film. Sargoshiyan is my baby, I am very happy that the our film got the amazing review from the Director Tourism.”
Sargoshiyan would be released under the banner of Imran Khan Production’s and is slated to release in March 2017. Veteran actors like Alok Nath, Farida Jalal, Tom Alter and Shahbaz Khan are playing prominent roles in the film, along with Sara Afreen Khan, Aditi Bhatia, Hasan Zaidi and Indraneil Sengupta.
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