Wanted to give back to Kashmir in my own little way: Onir

Onir shares a rather close bond with Kashmir. A part of his 2011 film, IAm , is set in the valley. Then, Kuchh Bheege Alfaaz (2018) saw Zain Khan Durrani, a Kashmiri, in the lead. One of the filmmaker’s upcoming documentaries on contemporary art was also shot in Jammu and Kashmir early this year. And last month, he conducted a short filmmaking workshop for Kashmiri youth in the valley, in collaboration with the Army.

“I’ve been coming to Kashmir for the past 15 years. I’ve shot here before and plan to shoot my next film here as well. I’ve received a lot of affection from this place and I wanted to give back in my own little way. Moreover, a lot of people have been messaging me, wanting to know more about filmmaking. Unfortunately, they’ve no opportunity at all in terms of getting exposure,” he shares.

The filmmaker felt since he has been working with Kashmiri actors, singers and crew members for a while, he could help create opportunities for more talent to bloom. “During the workshop, they explored their own history through films and told stories that aren’t a part of the popular narrative in Kashmir,” he says.

Onir believes that filmmaking should be made a part of school curriculum. “When you get to see good films from all over the world, your mind opens up. It’s like reading a good book. We should learn to appreciate art, it should be a part of children’s growing up years. They should realise there’s a world beyond Instagram reels.”