New Kashmir beckons Kodambakkam arc lights

Chennai: The Centre’s dilution of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation for film shoots in the ‘paradise on earth’ — "I urge Bollywood, Telugu and Tamil film industries to come to Jammu and Kashmir and shoot your films here" — has got Kollywood excited.

Kaarthekeyen Santhanam of Stone Bench Films says the idea of shooting in the picturesque state has been on his bucket list for long "I would be thrilled to go there, of course only when the situation gets better."

Pointing out that shooting in Kashmir is completely different even from shooting in exotic locales like Uttarkashi and Shimla, the ‘Petta’ producer is confident the Centre will provide all facilities. "The economy can flourish only when the government helps us with discounts and makes sure the Valley is rid of violence."

Since C V Sridhar’s 1961 hit ‘Then Nilavu’, the first Tamil film to be shot in the Valley, the northern state’s locales with snow-capped mountains as the backdrop have been a big draw. While Then Nilavu’s ‘Oho Endhan Baby’ and ‘Paattu Paadava’ featuring Gemini Ganesan and Vyjayanthimala continue to be hits, "Kashmir beautiful Kashmir, Kashmir wonderful Kashmir" from ‘Idhaya Veenai’ (1972), with matinee idol M G Ramachandran grooving with Manjula and Lakshmi, captured Kashmir’s beauty like few did. At the same time as ‘Idhaya Veenai’, say insiders, Sivaji Ganesan was shooting with J Jayalalithaa a few kilometres away.

Kashmir was India’s Switzerland for a long time before the unrest and restrictions scared away film makers. Mani Ratnam, whose ‘Roja’ was set against the backdrop of terrorism in Kashmir but was shot in Himachal, had to wait till 2017 (‘Kaatru Veliyidai’) to shoot in the Kashmir Valley.

Even in recent times, despite curbs, films like Mohanlal-Jiiva’s ‘Aran’, Vikram Prabhu’s ‘Wagah’, Vikram’s ‘Iru Mugan’ and Rajiv Menon’s ‘Sarvam Thaala Mayam’ have been shot in parts of Kashmir.

Stage and film thespian R S Manohar’s nephew Srinivasan Shivpprasadh, a producer himself, says Kashmir was once a mini Kodambakkam. "It was one big family back then, many movies were made in the Valley and to overcome extra expenses, actors were exchanged between directors and producers for projects to be completed within a stipulated time. There were no caravans like today.

"Celebrities mingled like family members. When former chief minister and actor Jayalalithaa was shooting with my uncle for ‘Chithra Pournami,’ (though the movie didn’t come out due to various reasons) she loved my aunt’s bag so much that she affectionately snatched it saying she could not bear the fact that she didn’t have it. There was love, warmth, camaraderie and exchange among everyone."

Producer Ishari K Ganesh is thrilled that gates to Kashmir have been opened. "Of course, scripts aren’t ready right now as the situation is still fluid, but the fact is we have numerous options within India." ‘Location Guru’ Natarajan Ramji, who has travelled to more than 150 countries and facilitated film shooting in around 70, says, "Every place brings its own surprises, I have been lucky enough to shoot in the Valley during the 1980s, and can say with glee that the place is gorgeous."

Shikaras and lush green meadows were factors no director or producer could ignore, says veteran producer, actor and director Chithra Lakshmanan. "We shot ‘Selai Kattum Pennukkoru’ song from ‘Kodi Parakkudhu’ in various locations surrounding Kashmir. Weather compliments movies and the unit members generally enjoy work when shot at places that don’t tire them." The Centre’s decision, says Lakshamanan, is positive as tinsel town is ever ready to contribute to the economy.

"When a movie is shot, people will want to visit the location and have a first-hand experience. Boosting tourism through movies has always been there. It is our little contribution to the country…"

Blue Ocean Film and Television Academy (BOFTA) dean and producer G Dhananjayan, is happy "The integration of Kashmir state with the country has happened now" because of the central government. "Kashmir is not new to Tamil filmmakers. In between, because of terrorism and unrest, people had stopped going there… We should see if peace prevails there. If it is conducive to shoot, people will go. You can’t expect a change immediately. If there’s no security issue, film units will surely consider. After Shimla, it is one of best places, especially the lake and the boat area. They are great shooting locales. There are brilliant unexplored locations in Kashmir."