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More than 350 films and web series have been shot in popular tourist destinations, including Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, and the Mughal gardens in Jammu and Kashmir over the past five years, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha informed on Sunday.

 

Speaking to media persons after inaugurating ‘Tawi Filmotsav,’ a short film festival dedicated to promoting local talent, Sinha highlighted the impact of the 2021 film policy in reviving Jammu and Kashmir’s prominence in the film industry.

 

He said, “In the past five years, especially after the framing of the new film policy in 2021, more than 350 films and web series were shot in J&K. When there is peace, it leads to overall development and such types of programmes as well.”

 

VIDEO | J&K L-G Manoj Sinha says, "I felt a lot of happiness while inaugurating this Filmotsav which is dedicated for promoting local talents. Everybody came together to make this reality. The new talents, professionals, the cultural heritage, all came together to showcase local… pic.twitter.com/L2Ke6w6cJu

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 23, 2025

 

Sinha expressed pride in Jammu and Kashmir reclaiming its place in filmmaking after the 1980s, a period when it served as a prime shooting location for Bollywood films.

 

“Our efforts towards peace and development in the past five years have made J&K a more attractive destination for Hindi, regional, and foreign film productions,” he said.

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He noted that the new film policy was designed to keep pace with evolving industry trends.

 

“Cinema is an effective medium of education and a powerful agent of social change. I want our local talent to maintain a balance between entertainment and social concern and use this powerful medium for the benefit of society and social transformation,” Sinha added.

 

He said technological advancements have enabled local filmmakers, actors, and professionals in various cinematic fields to showcase the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir.

 

“I feel that this is the first film festival of its kind, dedicated to promoting local films and talent. As we all know, cinema education is an influential medium and also a force for social change. I would like to see a balance between our local talents and film professionals, entertainment and social responsibility. I feel that the balance between entertainment and social responsibility is the biggest challenge of the present time,” he added.