Archive · 13 Sep 2026
AR Rahman Urges Bollywood to Showcase Kashmir’s Peace and Culture
AR Rahman visited Kashmir and spoke warmly about the region.
He said Kashmir is beautiful, peaceful and culturally rich.
He praised the new International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir.
He hopes the festival becomes famous around the world.
Rahman encouraged Bollywood to show Kashmir’s natural beauty and peaceful side.
He said films do not always need to focus on violence or the past.
He remembered recording Kashmiri women singing folk songs for Rockstar.
He may return to work with local artists and perform there.
AR Rahman praised Kashmir’s natural beauty, cultural richness, peaceful surroundings and welcoming people.
He called the inaugural International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir a commendable platform for showcasing the Valley.
Rahman urged Bollywood to portray Kashmir’s peace and nature instead of focusing mainly on violence or its past.
He recalled recording Kashmiri women’s folk songs for the soundtrack of Rockstar.
Rahman said he hopes to return for further collaborations and possibly perform in Kashmir.
- Who
- Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman.
- What
- Rahman praised Kashmir and encouraged Bollywood to highlight its peace, beauty, culture and artistic potential.
- When
- After the inaugural festival concluded; the festival was held from September 7 to 10, 2026, and Rahman’s comments were published September 13, 2026.
- Where
- Kashmir, including Srinagar and the Kashmir Valley.
- Why
- He said the region deserves greater global cinematic attention and encouraged filmmaking, music collaborations and artistic activity there.
- Speaker
- AR Rahman
- Festival
- Inaugural International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir
- Festival dates
- September 7–10, 2026
- Festival scale
- Around 135 films from nearly 40 countries
- Main message
- Show Kashmir’s peace, nature and cultural richness through cinema
- Previous collaboration
- Rahman recorded Kashmiri women singing folk songs for Rockstar
- Current visit
- Connected to an advertisement shoot that had just concluded
- Future plans
- Rahman said discussions were under way about returning and possibly performing in Kashmir
