J&K is India’s pride: Mukesh Bhatt

Jammu: Asserting that the scenic beauty of Kashmir has always remained first choice of Bollywood, producer-director Mukesh Bhatt today said Jammu and Kashmir is the pride of India and industry would love to re-explore Kashmir in the movies.
“As the situation is normalising in Kashmir and we hope that film industry would soon shift to the Valley for shooting more films,” Mukesh flanked by producer, director Madhur Bhandarkar and music director Pritam told a press conference here.
The bollywood stalwarts were in the town to act as judges on the finale of the ‘All India Devotional Song’ competition to be held tomorrow, which is being organised as a part of Navratra festival at Katra.
The director said, “Kashmir had always been the first preference for the Bollywood and once the situation will completely be normal, hundreds of films can be shot in Kashmir, which has natural scenic beauty.” Madhur said he always preferred realistic themes for his films and if he finds some interesting subject on Kashmir situation, it can be brought on the big screen.
Pritam said, “Though I have visited Jammu for the first time, I feel that the place has no dearth of talent.” He said such competitions help in promoting the upcoming talent and providing platform.
Devotional Song Committee chairman Rakesh Wazir said, “The event was started 14 years ago with an aim to promote and provide platform to the young talent across the country.” Managing Director Venus Records and Tapes Limited Ganesh Jain, Trade Analyst and filmmaker Vikas Mohan and CEO Zee Jagran Barka Arora were also among the panel of judges.