‘Bed No.17’ to head for int’l film festivals

M Aamir Khan

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, June 17

Shot entirely in the Kashmir valley, film “Bed No.17” is expected to give a fillip to the almost defunct local film industry in the Valley. Directed by well-known Bollywood actor of Kashmiri origin Mir Sarwar, the movie is likely to be soon featured worldwide.

“On Wednesday, we completed the shooting of ‘Bed No.17’. After post-production, we are planning to take it to renowned film festivals throughout the world before releasing it across the country,” said Sarwar, who has acted in acclaimed Bollywood films like Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Phantom, Dishoom and Jolly LLB-2.

Sarwar said his maiden directorial venture had an all-Kashmiri production crew and actors were mostly Valley-based. The star cast includes Rishi Bhutani, Hussien Khan, Ahmer Haider, Sanam Zeeya, Subeer Kasali, Ulfat Haroon and veteran Kashmir actor Zameer Ashai.

“We are hopeful that the film will give a boost to local actors and directors and that young film-makers too will get encouraged to make more movies,” he said.

Giving details of the film, Sarwar said, “The movie revolves around father-son relationship. It shows the journey of the relationship from childhood to adulthood and how circumstances impact relations. It gives a powerful message of love of a father, who doesn’t express his feelings towards his son.”

He said the film was shot in Urdu and Hindi and will also be dubbed in Kashmir. The film has been produced by Seven 2 Creations, Rahat Kazmi Films, Tariq Khan Productions, Zeba Sajid Films and Safdar Arts.

Even as the local film industry in the Valley is almost defunct, a locally made film ‘Kashmir Daily’ had hit screens outside the Valley last year. Prior to that, ‘Shayar-e-Kashmir Mehjoor’ produced in Kashmir was released outside J&K in 1972.

The cinema halls in the Valley were shut soon after the eruption of militancy around 28 years ago. Even as a few cinema halls tried to reopen later, they were closed.

Defunct industry

• Even as the local film industry in the Valley is almost defunct, a locally made film ‘Kashmir Daily’ had hit screens outside the Valley last year. Prior to that, ‘Shayar-e-Kashmir Mehjoor’ produced in Kashmir was released outside J&K in 1972
•  The cinema halls in the Valley were shut soon after the eruption of militancy around 28 years ago. Even as a few cinema halls tried to reopen later, they were closed