Gulmarg, Aug 18 (UNI) Urging the film industry to portray positive side of Kashmir in their films, Bollywood actor John Abraham said the valley is one of the most beautiful places in the world, which needs to be presented in a good way.
The Bollywood actor is shooting at the ski resort Gulmarg, for an espionage thriller ‘RAW’, where he planted trees near St Marry’s Church.
Besides John Abraham and Romeo Akabar Walter, Jackie Shroff features as the RAW chief in the movie.
"I am very well read about Kashmir and know its history since 1947. I know the situation and how things are here. I understand everything. I understand political process also. But instead of concentrating on politics in Kashmir, the film makers must also concentrate on beauty of Kashmir. We must promote the culture of Kashmir", he said.
The actor also urged the travellers to visit Kashmir and brush aside the political tension which has only added to negative perception among the masses.
"People think that Kashmir is a dangerous place to visit. But I am in Gulmarg right now and enjoying its beauty. It is a wonderful place and every traveller should visit it and enjoy its beauty. They should also promote as heaven on Earth", he said.
He said it was the responsibility of the film industry to show Kashmir in a positive light. "I am also a producer and I will start from my side. I will also make sure that film industry presents Kashmir the way it needs to be presented to the world", he said.
However, the actor expressed dismay over the massive deforestation that has taken place in the Valley, saying he wanted to participate in the plantation drive to send a message that preserving environment was very important.
"It is important to plant trees and make this place more beautiful. Hoteliers here have already started the plantation drive and they have planted three lakh trees here. The beautiful thing in Kashmir is that the survival rate of the plants is 90% after they are sown", he said.
He also urged the government to improve the infrastructure and also keep the place clean.
"The place is very beautiful but roads, facilities and other infrastructure needs to be improved. I urge state government to improve the same.”
Meanwhile, Director Tourism Kashmir Tasaduq Jeelani, who also participated in the plantation drive with the actor, said the department is trying to attract more filmmakers to offset the negative perception and to promote the state at a bigger platform.
Mr Jeelani said more crews are visiting Kashmir and the department is providing them all the assistance here so that they are encouraged to shoot films here.
"The department is embarking on massive tourism promotional campaign by organising road shows, participating in travel marts outside the state," Mr Jeelani further added.
"We will also invite media persons from different print and electronic media of different states of the country and show them how tourists are enjoying here and how conducive Kashmir is for travelling,” he said.
UNI BAS JTS JA 1836