Kashmir Returns

Aamir Bashir’s Harud was a really brave attempt but it wasn’t mainstream.

You must have heard the news that 68 Kashmiri students have been charged with sedition for cheering Pakistan’s victory against India during Sunday’s Asia Cup tie in Meerut. It’s been reported that the students support for Shahid Afridi’s match winning six led to them shouting pro-Pakistan slogans, which led to clashes in the University’s hostel. The students have been sent back to the Kashmir Valley. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has termed this as an “unacceptably harsh punishment” and has spoken to his Uttar Pradesh counterpart Akhilesh Yadav to intervene. Till the time of going to press, this was the latest update on the developing story.

While Kashmir always makes Page 1 news, Bollywood, which has never hidden its fascination with the Valley, has largely preferred to keep a cosmetic connection with Kashmir. Just think back to all those Nasir Hussain-Shakti Samanta-Shammi Kapoor Eastman colour era films, when Kashmir symbolised beauty on screen. As the geography and history of the landscape got more politicised, our filmmakers tried to find a balance between films ‘set in’ and films ‘about’ Kashmir. Sure we got some insights about militancy and the status quo of Kashmir in films such as Roja, Mission Kashmir, Lamhaa, Fanaa and Yahaan but that really good, authentic Kashmir story has been missing on the big screen. Aamir Bashir’s Harud was a really brave attempt but it wasn’t mainstream.

However, this might change. With more and more Bombay filmwallahs returning to shoot in the Valley (Rockstar, Student of the Year, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Jab Tak Hai Jaan and Highway to name a few), Kashmir is back in our cinema consciousness. And what’s heartening is that more filmmakers are attempting narratives about Kashmir. Vishal Bhardwaj’s Haider, which is an adaptation of Hamlet, is touted as a gripping take on the Kashmir issue. Shahid Kapoor plays the titular role in the film with Tabu, Kay Kay Menon, Irrfan Khan, Shraddha Kapoor giving him company. After Kai Po Che, director Abhishek Kapoor wants to shoot his interpretation of The Great Expectations in Kashmir. Titled Fitoor, the film stars Aditya Roy Kapur and Katrina Kaif. Bashir’s next after Harud is Winter, which will again attempt an insider view of the strife torn Valley. There’s considerable buzz that Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms have roped in Balak Palak director Ravi Jadhav to helm an adaptation of the epic Laila Majnu saga where Kashmir is almost a character in the film. Reportedly Imtiaz Ali will be the creative producer on the project. Then there’s Jackie Shroff’s son Tiger Shroff’s debut Heropanti, which is shot in Kashmir.

Clearly, Bollywood cannot get enough of Kashmir. Now if only they tell a crackling story that takes on the subject frontally. Till then, I’ll go and find solace in Gulzar saab’s words, “Waadi ke mausam bhi ek din toh badlenge.”

harneet.singh@expressindia.com

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