Srinagar, Sep 29: Kashmir once a preferred place for shooting Bollywood films had for sometime gone off the sight of tinsel town. But things seem changing now.
Nazim Rizvi, noted film producer, recently shot three songs of his film Qasam Sey Qasam Sey in the Valley. Rizvi used the beautiful locales of celebrated Royal Spring Golf Course, famous Dal lake and enchanting Sonamarg. The crew stayed for eight days in Kashmir during which it shot the songs. Kasam Sey, by the way, is bringing two new faces to the audience: Azim Rizvi and Faith starring the movie, while Bollywood icon Salman Khan has a special role in the film. The whole event was coordinated by a local tour operating company, Singhay Tours and Travels, Khayam Road, Munwarabad, here. Partners, Singhay Tours, Muhammad Yousuf Mir and Syed Ishtiaq Kamili told Greater Kashmir that Rizvi was so impressed by the breathtaking beauty of Kashmir that he decided to shoot his next film for 60 days in Kashmir. Interestingly, Rizvi has approached many other film producers inviting them to Kashmir for shooting their films. “Unfortunately, there are lot of apprehensions among the Bollywood regarding security and safety in Kashmir that have inhibited their coming to the Valley. But Rizvi’s initiative would hopefully remove such apprehensions,” said Yousuf. Yousuf, also a TV artist and producer, said many reputable producers have agreed to come to Kashmir. “On the advice of Rizvi, a Kolkata-based director has agreed to shoot his new film in Kashmir very soon.” About shooting experience in the Valley, Yousuf said at the local level while the police was cooperative, role of some officials was not helpful. “On the day when we had to shoot at Nishat, we had got proper permission, yet the crew had to wait for about two hours till the doors of the garden were opened. And despite our persuasion the fountains were not started,” he said. Yousuf said the coming up of the Bollywood can help create local employment to some extent, besides boosting tourism and opening a window of opportunity for local artists. “Rizvi has agreed that in his next film he will utilize the local talent,” he said.
