Srinagar, Sept 7 (JKNS): Bollywood actor Fatima Sana Shaikh on Monday welcomed the launch of the first-ever International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK), saying such festivals and cultural events bring people together and expressing happiness at being part of the inaugural edition in Kashmir.
Addressing the media on the sidelines of the film festival in Srinagar, as per news agency JKNS, Fatima said she was “very happy to be here in Kashmir” and described the visit as feeling like coming home, noting that she had not visited Kashmir for several years.
“Any film festival or any cultural event is very important because it brings people together. Cinema often does this,” she said, while appreciating Kashmir for taking the initiative to host an international film festival.
Shaikh said she was proud to be part of the event and thanked the people involved in organising the festival, describing the initiative as an important step for the region.
Responding to a question on whether Kashmir could continue hosting an international film festival, Shaikh expressed confidence in its prospects, saying, “100 per cent, I think it already is.”
She also noted that film shootings had taken place in Kashmir earlier and continue to take place, though the frequency may vary.
The first International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir is being held from September 7 to 10, bringing together filmmakers, cinema professionals and films from India and across the world. (JKNS)
