By: Raja Syed Rather
Srinagar, Sep 12: Renowned music composer and singer AR Rahman on Saturday praised Kashmir’s natural beauty and hospitality, while expressing hope that the International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK) grows into one of the country’s leading film festivals.
Speaking about the festival, Rahman said holding an international film festival in Kashmir was “commendable” and would allow people to experience the beauty and vibrancy of the region.
He expressed hope that the festival becomes widely known and attracts visitors from across the world to experience the hospitality of Kashmir.
Rahman said artists draw inspiration from Kashmir’s peaceful and beautiful surroundings, adding that filmmakers should showcase the region’s natural beauty and peace through their work.
“The past is past, and the future is bright,” he said, while emphasising the need to present Kashmir positively through films and music.
The music composer said he had recently visited Kashmir for an advertisement shoot and expressed his desire to return to perform in the Valley. “We have some plans, and we are talking. Hopefully, I want to come and perform here,” he said.
Recalling his association with Kashmir through the film Rockstar, Rahman said he had recorded local women singing folk songs during his earlier visit and incorporated their voices into the film.
I came here for Rockstar. I recorded the ladies singing folk songs, and we used it in Rockstar, and we want to come and do more things here,” he said.
Welcoming the IFFJK initiative, he described it as a “great opening” and said he hoped the festival would continue to grow into a major international event. “I wish Kashmir becomes the best festival of India,” he said.
Rahman also sang a few lines about Kashmir before concluding his interaction with the media. (KNO)
