Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Omar Abdullah Wants Kashmir Film Shoots To Return
Omar Abdullah wants filmmakers to start shooting movies in Kashmir again.
He said Kashmir was once used for films before places such as Switzerland became popular.
He hopes more film work will create jobs for local people.
A film festival is being held in Srinagar and other places from September 7 to 10.
The festival will show 135 films from 41 countries.
Omar also said threats against Kashmiri Pandit employees must be investigated.
He criticized the demolition of a mosque and the alleged assault of two journalists.
He also said the dispute over medical interns’ stipends should be resolved quickly.
Omar Abdullah said the Srinagar film festival should remind India’s film industry that Kashmir was once a preferred shooting destination.
He hoped renewed film production would return to Jammu and Kashmir and create local employment.
The four-day festival, running September 7-10, will feature 135 submissions from 41 countries.
Omar urged authorities to investigate threat letters sent to Kashmiri Pandit government employees and take them seriously.
He also discussed mosque demolition, alleged attacks on journalists, and a medical interns’ strike over stipends.
- Who
- Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the film industry, festival organizers, Kashmiri Pandit employees, journalists, and medical interns.
- What
- Omar Abdullah promoted a film festival as a way to bring film shoots and employment back to Kashmir, while addressing several security, religious, and labor issues.
- When
- The four-day festival is scheduled for September 7-10; Omar’s comments came three days after his meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
- Where
- The festival will take place at venues in Srinagar, Jammu, and Gulmarg, including the Sheri Kashmir International Convention Centre, INOX PVR, and Waves Cinema.
- Why
- Omar said the festival could remind India’s film industry of Kashmir’s past as a shooting destination and help generate local employment; he also addressed ongoing regional issues.
- Festival name
- International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir
- Festival dates
- September 7 to September 10
- Film submissions
- 135 submissions from 41 countries
- Srinagar venues
- Sheri Kashmir International Convention Centre and INOX PVR
- Other venues
- Waves Cinema in Jammu and a health resort in Gulmarg
- Medical interns’ stipend demand
- An increase from Rs 12,500 to Rs 30,000
- Other issues raised
- Threat letters to Kashmiri Pandit employees, mosque demolition, and alleged assaults on two women journalists