Mumbai, Feb 17: Jammu and Kashmir government today urged bollywood to return to the picturesque state promising logistic support and security cover.
Addressing reporters at the tenth FICCI-FRAMES conference here, JK Minister of Tourism and Culture, Nawang Rigzin Jora said complete normalcy has been restored in the state hit by militancy in the last two decades.
"The recent elections and the voter turn out which was on par with the national average proves that the situation haschanged. Hence, the film industry should comeback," Jora said adding Hindi films of the 60s, 70s and early 80s were a means to promote tourism in the valley.
We will offer logistic support and security cover though subsidizing films will not be possible at this juncture, he said. "My ministry is the nodal agency for issuing hassle free permits and we are ready to issue the document in Mumbai itself, even before the film unit embarks for shooting anywhere in Kashmir," the Minister said.
Jora said despite repeated assurances in the recent past, there was no support from bollywood which patronized the state two decades ago. "There is no fear now. We have 7.5 lakh tourists visiting the state every year," he said.
Apart from Rahul Dholakia`s `Lamha`, no major film has been shot in the valley in recent times, Jora said.
Bureau Report
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