GOA: Renowned actor Manoj Bajpayee on Friday said that Indian filmmakers are increasingly portraying the lived realities of Kashmiri people, moving beyond stories centered solely on security and conflict.
On the red carpet at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, the Padma Shri awardee noted a positive shift in Bollywood and new-age cinema, with more narratives focusing on Kashmir’s culture, emotions, and everyday life.
“Things are changing very rapidly, and many films are being made about Kashmir which are not just security-centric,” Bajpayee said.
Citing the romantic tragedy ‘Laila Majnu’ (2018), shot extensively in the Valley, he added that the film authentically highlights Kashmiri characters and their surroundings.
“‘Laila Majnu’ talks about Kashmir and Kashmiri people,” he said.
Bajpayee applauded emerging filmmakers who are choosing to tell bold, diverse stories for both the big screen and OTT platforms.
“Some new filmmakers are very, very courageous, and we need to be positive about it,” he remarked.
Back at IFFI for The Family Man
The celebrated actor is attending IFFI for the premiere of Season 3 of his hit spy-thriller series ‘The Family Man’, created by Raj & DK for Amazon Prime Video.
In the series, Bajpayee plays Srikant Tiwari, a middle-class man secretly working for a fictional intelligence division. The storyline of its first season is deeply rooted in Kashmir, exploring socio-political tensions through a human lens—an approach that earned Bajpayee the Filmfare OTT Award for Best Actor.
IFFI 2025: Scale & Innovation
This year, IFFI is showcasing:
- 270 films from 81 countries
- 124 new filmmakers from India and abroad
- Japan as Country of Focus
Celebrating the theme ‘Convergence of Creativity and Technology’, IFFI 2025 has also introduced:
- An AI Hackathon for content and filmmaking innovation
- The largest-ever WAVES Film Bazaar, expanding collaboration and industry networking
Founded in 1952, IFFI remains South Asia’s oldest and biggest celebration of cinema, jointly hosted by the NFDC, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, ESG, and the Goa Government. The festival continues until November 28, bringing together new talent and master storytellers on one vibrant global platform.
