A first: Bollywood movie premieres in Kashmir

M Aamir Khan

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, May 17

Shot extensively in the Valley, ‘Sargoshiyan’ became the first Bollywood film to premiere in Kashmir. 

A screening of the movie was held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre on the banks of the Dal Lake here this evening.

As the film is scheduled to formally release on May 19 across the country, ‘Sargoshiyan’ aims to portray Kashmir in a ‘different’ manner amid a popular notion in Kashmir that Bollywood has of late only been depicting violence in the Valley.

“It is a film about Kashmir…Bollywood movies (shot in Kashmir in recent past) mostly portrayed violence and bloodshed but ‘Sargoshiyan’ is different. We have attempted to show the real Jammu and Kashmir to the people,” said actor-producer Imran Khan at the film premiere.

Actress Sara Afreen Khan of ‘Total Siyappa’ fame said the film had been shot at virgin locations and would encourage more film crews to shoot in the Valley.

“During shooting, I experienced that Kashmir is a heaven. We went to untapped places. I haven’t seen this kind of beauty. We have to give a message…come to Kashmir…everybody must come here…why shoot outside?” she said.