Srinagar, September 7, 2026–Acclaimed filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra on Monday described his participation in the International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK) as a deeply emotional homecoming, reflecting on his childhood and education in the Valley and urging local youth to have faith in their own talent.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of IFFJK 2026, the veteran director recalled that Kashmir remains home to him, noting he studied at SP College in Srinagar. He said returning to the region for the festival felt like coming back to where it all began for him. Chopra also shared a lighter, personal anecdote about his father’s reaction upon learning he had studied at SP College, recalling that his father actually slapped him over it — a memory he offered with evident nostalgia and humour.
The director, known for films such as Parinda, Mission Kashmir, 3 Idiots and 12th Fail, spoke at length about the immense creative potential he sees in the Valley. He urged Kashmiris not to underestimate their own abilities, saying he has witnessed extraordinary talent in the region and encouraged young people to showcase their skills to a wider audience. According to Chopra, the film festival itself stands as a strong form of recognition and appreciation for that untapped potential.
Chopra also spoke about the opportunities IFFJK could unlock for aspiring filmmakers in Jammu and Kashmir. He said the event opens the door for the region to draw filmmakers and cinema from across the globe, calling it a meaningful opportunity for the next generation of Kashmiri storytellers. Reflecting on how his own schooling in the Valley shaped his career, he pointed out that he learned English while studying in Kashmir, framing his personal trajectory as proof of what local education and grit can achieve on a global stage.
On his connection to the region, Chopra spoke about his roots in Srinagar’s Amira Kadal area, emphasising that despite decades in the film industry, he remains firmly a Kashmiri at heart and continues to speak the language. He expressed a sense of hope for the Valley’s future, tying his own journey — from a young student in Amira Kadal to one of Hindi cinema’s most awarded directors and producers — to the larger promise the festival represents for local youth.
Asked about the significance of returning to Kashmir through cinema, Chopra said the region has its own stories waiting to be told, and that a sustained platform like IFFJK could finally give them the global stage they deserve. Having made numerous acclaimed films over his career, he said a festival of this scale happening in Kashmir would allow authentic local narratives to reach audiences far beyond the Valley.
Chopra’s remarks came on the opening day of the four-day IFFJK 2026, being held from September 7 to 10 under the theme “Rang-e-Cinema.” The inaugural edition features 135 films from more than 40 countries and has drawn several prominent names from Indian cinema to Srinagar, alongside a prize purse and hundreds of delegates from India and abroad. Organised by the Department of Information and Public Relations, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, the festival aims to revive the region’s historic ties with the film industry while building a sustainable film economy and boosting film tourism.
Chopra’s presence and remarks were seen by organisers as a symbolic endorsement of the festival’s larger mission — reconnecting Kashmir with the cinematic world that once considered the Valley one of its most cherished filming destinations, while opening fresh avenues for the region’s own storytellers to be heard.
