Srinagar, Kashmir, will be an integral part of all Indian stories and more films will be shot in the valley that will benefit the local people, the country's G20 Sherpa and former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said here on Wednesday. .
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the two-day Tourism Development Conclave-2024 at the SKICC, Kant said Kashmir needed security and protection to be ensured.
"Several filmmakers have shot their films and web series in the Kashmir Valley. These are notable filmmakers... among India's best. Kabir Khan, Imtiaz Ali, Vishal Bharadwaj and Sanjay Suri, all of them are top filmmakers.
"They have all come here and made great films that have been remarkable success stories. A large number of films are already being made here," he told reporters.
Referring to cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar's recent visit to the valley, the former NITI Aayog CEO said it was a pleasure to see him playing cricket on the streets of Kashmir.
"Ajay Devgn and Jackie Shroff were hugged by Kashmiri people at the center (during the shooting). Bollywood divas Waheeda Rehman, Asha Parekh and Helen came here alone. They spent their own money to come here and see Kashmir and revive their nostalgic memories.
"So all the filmmakers will come here, they will shoot here and Kashmir will form an integral part of all Indian stories," he added.
When asked if the conclave on tourism would have a positive outcome, Kant said Kashmir would witness an economic boom and its people would reap the benefits.
"Kashmir needs security and protection which has now been ensured...Kashmir and the people of Kashmir will be the biggest beneficiaries," the G20 Sherpa said.
Actor-producer Sanjay Suri said such conclaves would increase the influx of tourists to Kashmir.
"These conclaves really help improve tourism. They talk about challenges as well as opportunities. It is simply about promoting tourism. Infrastructure and support are needed," said Suri, who was born and brought up in Srinagar.
He said there was never a need to sell Kashmir as a destination as it has always been on everyone's wish list.
However, with the increase in tourist activity, places like Srinagar are seeing a lot of rush, Suri said, adding that attention should be diverted from the golden triangle of Srinagar-Gulmarg-Pahalgam.
"It has never taken me two hours to reach Nishat from Hyderpora before, but nowadays it takes me a long time. More tourists are coming, more vehicles. I think there is a need to decentralize tourism to other areas, remote areas too.
"Enough of this golden triangle of Srinagar-Gulmarg-Pahalgam, we should focus on developing other areas too. There are beautiful places I have been to and they should be developed," he said.
Suri said that he hopes that many Indian filmmakers will come to Kashmir to shoot his films.
"If shootings can take place for 365 days in Goa, why not in Kashmir?" he said.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the two-day Tourism Development Conclave-2024 at the SKICC, Kant said Kashmir needed security and protection to be ensured.
"Several filmmakers have shot their films and web series in the Kashmir Valley. These are notable filmmakers... among India's best. Kabir Khan, Imtiaz Ali, Vishal Bharadwaj and Sanjay Suri, all of them are top filmmakers.
"They have all come here and made great films that have been remarkable success stories. A large number of films are already being made here," he told reporters.
Referring to cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar's recent visit to the valley, the former NITI Aayog CEO said it was a pleasure to see him playing cricket on the streets of Kashmir.
"Ajay Devgn and Jackie Shroff were hugged by Kashmiri people at the center (during the shooting). Bollywood divas Waheeda Rehman, Asha Parekh and Helen came here alone. They spent their own money to come here and see Kashmir and revive their nostalgic memories.
"So all the filmmakers will come here, they will shoot here and Kashmir will form an integral part of all Indian stories," he added.
When asked if the conclave on tourism would have a positive outcome, Kant said Kashmir would witness an economic boom and its people would reap the benefits.
"Kashmir needs security and protection which has now been ensured...Kashmir and the people of Kashmir will be the biggest beneficiaries," the G20 Sherpa said.
Actor-producer Sanjay Suri said such conclaves would increase the influx of tourists to Kashmir.
"These conclaves really help improve tourism. They talk about challenges as well as opportunities. It is simply about promoting tourism. Infrastructure and support are needed," said Suri, who was born and brought up in Srinagar.
He said there was never a need to sell Kashmir as a destination as it has always been on everyone's wish list.
However, with the increase in tourist activity, places like Srinagar are seeing a lot of rush, Suri said, adding that attention should be diverted from the golden triangle of Srinagar-Gulmarg-Pahalgam.
"It has never taken me two hours to reach Nishat from Hyderpora before, but nowadays it takes me a long time. More tourists are coming, more vehicles. I think there is a need to decentralize tourism to other areas, remote areas too.
"Enough of this golden triangle of Srinagar-Gulmarg-Pahalgam, we should focus on developing other areas too. There are beautiful places I have been to and they should be developed," he said.
Suri said that he hopes that many Indian filmmakers will come to Kashmir to shoot his films.
"If shootings can take place for 365 days in Goa, why not in Kashmir?" he said.
