Srinagar: Eighteen-year-old Aatif Bin Altaf from Pantha Chowk has been crazy about acting since his childhood. Such was his passion that he would travel miles to do amateur theatre and participate in plays and shows.
His Bollywood dream finally came true when he landed a role in Kartik Aaryan starrer Chandu Champion.
“Since childhood, I have participated in school plays and other theatre activities. I would do mirror acting exercises daily at home to hone my acting skills. Finally, I auditioned for Chandu Champion and got selected for the role of a soldier in the film,” he said.
What made it easy for Aatif to get a role in a Bollywood movie was the number of auditions being held in Kashmir for Bollywood movies for the last few years.
“I auditioned for many films here. I have been into modeling also. I am now planning to move to Mumbai for a full-time acting career,” he said.
Like Aatif, many youth are now seeking careers in acting and other related professions since the film industry has reunited with Kashmir after more than three decades.
“After my successful role in a Bollywood movie, a lot of youth are now trying for a career in Bollywood also. They are auditioning for various movies which are being shot in Kashmir,” he said.
The return of Bollywood in Kashmir is fuelling the passion of scores of Kashmiri youth to try their luck in the Indian film industry.
From actors to cinematographers, line producers, editors, and art directors, scores of Kashmir youth during the last few years have successfully got their break in Bollywood.
Danish Mushtaq Khan, Line Producer and Co-founder, Hamiasto Productions said the number of films being shot in Kashmir has increased over the last few years.
He said it has provided a platform for the local youth to get their break in the Bollywood films, web series, and music videos.
“There is too much work for actors and line producers now. Several films are scheduling their shoots in Kashmir for months together, which eventually provides an opportunity for local artists to get cast in these films,” he said.
Khan said the regional cinemas have helped the local artists to get diverse roles.
“It is interesting to see that the south film industry too is now scheduling their shoots in Kashmir. It was earlier Bollywood only during the 80s and 90s. They are fully relying on local talents to give an authenticity and local touch to their films. In coming years, we may witness some more youth get prominent roles in Bollywood,” he said.