Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 9: Social activist Jayesh Gupta has expressed serious concerns about the declining state of regional cinema in Jammu and Kashmir, urging the Chief Minister and the Lieutenant Governor to take immediate steps to revise the Union Territory’s film policy.
Speaking to the media, Jayesh highlighted the struggles faced by local actors, producers, directors, and technicians, many of whom have been grappling with unemployment for the past decade.
Jayesh pointed out that despite the immense talent in the region, regional feature films often fail to receive adequate support from the Government, distributors, and theatre owners. As a result, many gifted artists have been compelled to take up odd jobs to sustain their livelihoods.
He stressed that while several regional films have garnered international acclaim and won awards at prestigious film festivals in recent years, financial losses have discouraged producers and directors from investing in further projects. He asserted that when a producer or director suffers losses, the repercussions are felt by the entire team, including actors, crew members, and technicians.
Emphasizing the need for Government intervention, Jayesh called for comprehensive discussions among all stakeholders to amend the existing film policy in a manner that offers tangible support to local artists and filmmakers.
Addressing the issue of subsidies, he underscored the need for transparency, suggesting that local filmmakers should be adequately informed about the procedures to access these benefits. He also proposed that the Government should mandate fixed or reserved screening slots for regional films in theatres, enabling producers to recover costs and generate revenue.
Additionally, Gupta strongly advocated for the widespread availability of the Duggar satellite channel for residents of the Jammu division. He argued that this move would not only create employment opportunities for local artists but also help preserve and promote Dogri culture, which he warned is facing a gradual decline.
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