Announcing a single-window clearance system, security and world-class facilities to film-makers, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday said his administration is working on making the Union Territory a hub for film-making and unlocking its vast tourism potential.
Speaking at a function to release Bollywood singer Jubin Nautiyal’s music album ‘Tujhe Bhoolna Toh Chaha’ here, Sinha said Jammu and Kashmir has always been a popular destination for film-making.
He said the aesthetic beauty of the Union Territory has been beautifully captured in the song filmed in various picturesque settings of Kashmir.
“It also marks the revival of J&K’s halcyon days of being a cinematographer’s delight,” he added.
“The golden era is back and many film-makers are ready to shoot their movies, web series and music albums in the UT,” he said, adding the administration is all set to welcome the film-makers from all over the world again.
“We want to bring back the 1980s era to the film industry in J&K, and make the Union Territory the most favourite destination of film-makers worldwide,” he said.
Sharing his experience of shooting here, Nautiyal called Jammu and Kashmir the most beautiful place in the world and urged film-makers from across the world to come to the place and experience its beauty.
“We are thankful to the J&K government for its support during the filming of the album in the valley. I think I have fallen in love with the place and its people,” Nautiyal said.
Highlighting the reformative measures being taken by his administration for making J&K a hub for film-making, the LG said the government has developed one of the finest film policies which will revive J&K’s incredible glory in Indian Cinema.
For facilitating film-making, encouraging local talent and providing more livelihood opportunities to the youth, “the J&K administration has recognised film as an industry,” he said.
He said the government has assured single-window clearance of applications, security and world-class facilities to the film-makers coming to the UT.
“Film-shooting will not only develop the tourism sector but will also give fillip to the socio-economic development of the region, besides opening up more avenues and opportunities for the local youth, artistes and technicians,” he said.
Recalling his interaction with prominent film personalities during his visit to Mumbai, the LG observed that the film industry is ready to capture the pristine beauty, breath-taking natural settings and serene valleys of J&K, and showcase it on the silver screen.
Once again, the natural beauty and untapped potential of J&K will be put up in the canvas of cinema worldwide. Work is underway to develop Film city, Film Training Institute, production house and National School of Drama’s regional campus in the UT in coming days, the LG maintained.
The LG expressed his gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi for encouraging film-makers from across the country to shoot their films in J&K.
He also thanked the prime minister for allocation of Rs 786 crore for promotion of tourism in J&K, which he said is Rs 509 crore more as compared to the previous year.
To unlock J&K’s vast tourism potential, the government is focusing on developing tourism infrastructure, besides promoting unexplored tourist places of the UT and tourists locations of Jammu including Patnitop, Mansar, Surinsar, Rajouri, Poonch and Kishtwar. Tourist circuit is being prepared to connect the potential tourist places in and around Jammu to attract film-makers and tourists, said the LG.
He also felicitated the artists of the music album on the occasion and asked the youth to take inspiration from them and follow their own passion. He congratulated the entire team and wished them success.
Prof. Manoj Kumar Dhar, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu, in his address highlighted the measures taken by the university for promoting innovation, entrepreneurship and skill development.
Live performances by Jubin Nautiyal and Abhishek Singh, supported by the artists of Saptak music band, received a standing ovation from the audience.
Prominent among others present on the occasion were Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to the LG; Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to LG; Mukesh Singh and M.K Sinha- ADPs; Prof. Ashok Aima, Vice Chancellor, Central University Jammu; Prof. Bechan Lal, Vice-Chancellor, Cluster University of Jammu; Sanjeev Verma, Commissioner/Secretary Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment; Ramesh Kumar, CEO, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board; Dr. Raghav Langer, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu , senior officers , faculty members of Jammu University, and scores of students. Pt Sunil Bharala, MoS, UP and Justice AR Masoodi were also present on the occasion.
