Srinagar: Actress Fatima Sana Shaikh, who attended Jammu & Kashmir’s first international film festival as one of the hosts alongside actor Taha Shah Badussha on Monday, said cultural festivals such as these can help challenge the way Kashmir is often viewed from the outside.
“We are not what news shows, we are more than that. We are the cinema, the art, the music.. it defines us,” said Shaikh, during a press conference ahead of the inauguration of the International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar.
While Shaikh’s family hails from Kashmir, she was born and brought up in Mumbai. The actor said returning to the Valley brought back a wave of nostalgia, “as soon as I arrived, bachpan ki yaadein taza ho gayi.”
Shaikh said she planned to spend more time travelling around the region on Tuesday, adding that her family will also be joining her.
The Dangal actor also underlined the importance of cultural events, particularly for young people.
“We also want our youth to move forward, they should raise their voice. It feels good when someone close to us grows,” she added.
Shaikh also spoke about the importance of regional cinema, saying that films rooted in local cultures offer a deeper understanding of a place and its people.
“It shows intricacies,” she said, adding, “It is important to look at it from the lens of a local.”
During the press conference, Shaikh was also asked if she remains in touch with her Dangal co-star Zaira Wasim, who is also from Kashmir.
“Its been long we haven’t spoken. She is a wonderful and intelligent girl. She is on her own journey and I am happy for her,” she said.
(Edited by Aamaan Alam Khan)