GOA: The red carpets and coastal breeze of Goa welcomed a powerful message at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) — a call for Kashmir’s young creators to take charge of their own narratives.
Veteran actor, filmmaker, and global Indian cinema ambassador Anupam Kher urged the youth of Kashmir to turn their everyday experiences into world-class films.
“Kashmir has thousands of untold stories,” Kher said in an exclusive conversation at the festival venue.
“Don’t wait for someone else to tell them. Pick up your phones — write, shoot, and show the world what Kashmir feels like.”
Hope Through Creativity
With over 549 films, four decades of excellence, and prestigious honours including the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan, Kher is no stranger to cinematic influence. Yet his message was simple:
“Creativity keeps negativity away.”
He encouraged young storytellers across Kashmir — from mountain villages to busy towns — to embrace filmmaking as a form of empowerment.
A Landscape Made for Cinema
Kher’s affection for Kashmir is personal — rooted in heritage and memory.
“I proudly call myself a Kashmiri. And I have never seen a place more visually stunning than Kashmir — just frame the camera, and the landscape does the rest.”
His easy switch to Kashmiri greetings brought smiles to those listening, as he reaffirmed a bond to the Valley that continues to shape his creative journey.
A Triple Presence at IFFI
This year is special for Kher — three of his films have earned a spot in the festival lineup:
🎬 Tanvi the Great
🎬 The Bengal Files
🎬 Calorie — a gripping Canadian drama
“It’s an honour to have three films here,” he shared, glowing with pride at being part of such a milestone edition.
IFFI 2025: Where Future Filmmakers Begin
IFFI’s focus this year — “Convergence of Creativity and Technology” — reflects a new era in cinema. With 270 films from 81 countries and Japan as Country of Focus, the festival is buzzing with innovation.
For the first time, an AI Hackathon is part of the programming, inviting creators to experiment with artificial intelligence in storytelling.
The festival — jointly hosted by NFDC, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, ESG, and the Government of Goa — has grown into the largest cinematic gathering in South Asia, since its journey began in 1952.
A Gateway to Dreams
IFFI isn’t just for industry veterans. It’s a discovery ground.
Newcomers — 124 of them this year — get to exchange ideas, attend masterclasses, and connect at the high-energy Film Bazaar, where global collaborations are born.
A Spark for Kashmir
Kher hopes that spark travels north to the valleys and rivers of Kashmir.
“You have a voice. The world wants to hear it. Start filming — the film festival will come looking for you.”
As IFFI 2025 moves toward its finale on November 28, the message lingers in the minds of aspiring filmmakers:
The camera is already in your pocket. The story is right where you are. And the world is waiting.
If you want, I can also provide:
✨ Pull quotes for magazine layout
📌 An infographic sidebar on “Steps for Kashmiri filmmakers to submit to IFFI”
📸 Caption sets for accompanying photographs
🖋️ A shorter, hard-news version for wire agencies
Would you like this formatted into a print magazine double-spread with design elements?
