Bollywood can act as Kashmir tourism’s ambassador: Mufti

Perceptions about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir were fast changing in a positive manner, and the return of Bollywood can make a huge difference to the state, Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed said on Sunday.

“Perceptions about the ground situation are changing in a positive way and the return of Bollywood to their choice outdoor locations can contribute significantly in helping that change,” Sayeed told media persons here during a luncheon interaction.

He said superstars like Shahrukh Khan and Salman Khan were eager to shoot movies in the Kashmir Valley and their eagerness would be an “ambassadorial effort” for the tourism industry here.

“I met Shahrukh Khan and others who came to see me during my recent visit to Mumbai. They feel positively about Kashmir.

“These superstars can work as brand ambassadors for our tourism industry,” he said.

Sayeed, however, lamented that high-end facilities for “lavishly spending tourists” were lacking in Kashmir, where the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was running a coalition government with the Bharatiya Janata Party.

“We need to provide them the right facilities if we want them to come here and spend money during holidays. That kind of infrastructure is still lacking and we are working to have that in place soon,” he said.

The chief minister said his government has decided that professionals with the right qualifications would be employed in information, agriculture, horticulture and power development departments in the state.

He agreed that roads, educational institutions, hospitals etc. were in bad shape, but asked the people and the media to give him time to put his developmental plans into practice.

The PDP leader said the central government was not delaying allocation of funds to his state.

“No, there is no such delay. Yes, there are procedures which need to be followed and completed.

“I am sure shortage of funds would not be allowed to come in the way of implementing the developmental vision my government has in mind.”