Fourth Kashmiri
Movie Avoids Mention of Independence War
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The
film will avoid any mention of Kashmiri woes and the murder of
dozens of Muslim independence fighters at the hands of Indian
soldiers |
SRINAGAR,
Kashmir, August 18 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Kashmir's
fourth feature film in more than 40 years has finally made it to the
storyboard and should start shooting in about a year, but the film
avoids any mention of Kashmir’s independence war from India.
The
movie "Shehjar" (Cool Breeze) will attempt to project modern
Kashmiri life, but the 13-year fight against Indian rule in the
Himalayan region will play no role in the big-screen production,
producer Ayash Arif told Agence France-Presse (AFP).
"We
don't touch that subject, we don't want to be controversial,"
Arif said, speaking for the 40 to 50 producers and directors based in
Indian-controlled Kashmir – most of them working on documentaries
and television series.
Instead,
the movie will focus on the environmental degradation being wreaked by
loggers in the Indian-administered zone of the Himalayan state, which
is divided between India and Pakistan and claimed by both.
"A
young girl will symbolize the rare Kashmiri pine trees which are
slowly being destroyed by the timber smugglers," said Arif,
declining to give away too much more of the plot.
To
be produced, directed and acted entirely by Kashmiris,
"Shehjar" will be only the fourth feature film to be made in
Kashmir since "Manzirath" (A Night of Henna") in the
late 1950s.
That
initial effort was followed by "Mehjoor" – featuring the
legendary Kashmiri poet of the same name – in the early 1970s, and,
after a gap of more than a decade, by "Inqilab" (Revolution)
in 1988.
Filmmakers
in Kashmir face three main problems, Arif, 42, said by way of
explanation of the dearth of features.
"Firstly
the ongoing turmoil," he said, referring to the Indian crackdown
on Kashmiri resistance launched by Muslim fighters against Indian rule
in the state since 1989 – a turmoil that has cost Kashmir 70,000
lives.
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The
film will attempt to project modern Kashmiri life
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Human
Rights Watch has condemned Indian violence in Kashmir and cautioned
against changes to laws in India that sacrifice due process and
personal liberty in the name of fighting terrorism.
"The
best way to guarantee security is to strengthen democratic structures.
The Respect for human rights must be part of any strategy to address
terrorism and should be on the agenda of both meetings," said HRW
in November, 2001.
But
Indian Home Minister, L.K. Advani, insisted on granting a
"general amnesty" to Indian security forces facing human
rights abuse charges in Kashmir and in the northeast, where at least
30 separatist groups are active.
Angered
human rights groups in India and Kashmir severely criticized
Advani’s decision, saying the Indian Home Minister’s move was
designed to curtail fundamental rights by giving license to police and
soldiers to kill innocents at will without having to face the
consequences.
Dozens
of Kashmiris have been systematically killed by the Indian soldiers in
Indian-administered Kashmir ever since.
"We
can't work with such tension, " said Arif. "We can't shoot
on location. We have to go outside the valley to shoot," said
Arif, who has acted, directed and produced a number of Kashmiri
series, comedies, documentaries and dramas for television, AFP
reported.
"This
adds to the costs. We have to go to Himachal Pradesh, which has some
geographic features similar to Kashmir," he said, referring to
the adjoining north Indian state.
"But
it is not the same. Kashmiri actors need to be able to really feel the
soil. They can't do so if they are not in Kashmir – it is
different."
Additionally,
sets have to be made to resemble the natural beauty of Kashmir – a
prime location for Mumbai movie-makers before the fight for
independence began in 1989.
"We
have the best locations in the world, but because of the unrest, we
cannot use them," he said.
Another
major drawback for Kashmiri producers is lack of access to funding.
"Financial
institutions are extremely cautious about putting up funding. They
want to read the script in minute detail."
Arif,
however, has managed to secure the five million rupees (about 100,000
dollars) needed for his project from various institutions.
He
expects the movie – his "dream project" which has been 10
years in the making – may only be completed in 2005.
"It
will take time to cast the film, to carry out a location survey, to
make the props, to streamline the storyboard," said Arif, who
became a household hero through his role in a 104-part television
serial, "Shabrang" (Colorful) in the early 1980s.
"In
some of the scenes we require snow – then we will just have to wait
until it snows," he said.
While
it is Arif's first stab at a 35mm feature, he has had plenty of
experience producing documentaries and television comedies, soaps and
dramas.
He
is currently producing yet another 13-part series for India's state
television, Doordarshan – this time on African kings.
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