Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Apr 29: In a bid to woo Bollywood for its return to ever fascinating Kashmir valley and other beautiful locations in the State, Chief Minister Mufti Mohd Sayeed along with Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh are going to meet Producers and Directors of the film industry in Mumbai on Thursday.
During this high-profile dinner meeting, scheduled to be held at Hotel Taj, the Chief Minister is all set to extend a warm invitation to the Bollywood for putting Jammu Kashmir’s breathtaking scenic location on its shooting plans and offer every support in facilitating shooting of the films in safe environment, official sources informed the Excelsior.
Besides, the sources added, both Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister are also scheduled to meet prominent tour operators in Mumbai for seeking their cooperation in encouraging tourists to visit Jammu and Kashmir by removing the negative perception, mostly based on media reportage of militancy incidents in the State.
Pertinent to mention that Kashmir valley was one of the most favourite destinations of the Bollywood for shooting Hindi films, before the eruption of militancy in 1989. During his previous tenure as Chief Minister of the State from 2002 to 2005, Mufti Sayeed had made a similar attempt to invite Bollywood in Kashmir and even succeeded to some extent in his effort.
According to the sources, the Chief Minister during his interaction meeting with the Bollywood Producers and Directors, will apprise the latter about improved security scenario in the State and assure further simplification of the procedure for clearance of shooting schedule besides adequate security for the crew members.
“The State Government will offer best possible facilities to the producers, who want to shoot their films anywhere in the State, which is bestowed with scenic destinations in all three regions; Kashmir, Ladakh and Jammu,” said a senior officer in the delegation, accompanying the Chief Minister.
During his interaction, sources hint, the Chief Minister may also extend a formal invitation to the Bollywood celebrities for an exploratory mission to Jammu and Kashmir and have their own assessment of the situation besides Government’s sincere commitment of co- operation to them in shooting films in J&K.
The high-profile dinner meeting from 7.30 onwards at Hotel Taj, is likely to be attended by top Producers, Directors and also stars of the Indian film industry, who have conveyed their consent for the participation and interaction with the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister.
Earlier, in the morning, sources further informed, both Mufti Syeed and Dr Nirmal Singh are scheduled to meet prominent tour operators of Mumbai and Pune. During this interaction, the State Government officers will apprise the Tour Operators about the tourism potential in Jammu and Kashmir besides seeking their suggestions on further improvement of the facilities to attract more tourists in J&K, sources explained.
The State Government is hopeful that rediscovering Kashmir by the Bollywood for their films and attracting more tourists to J&K would contribute towards restoration of peace as well as economic activities in the State, which has been marred by the violence for the last two and half decades.
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