Srinagar, Sep 6: Superstar Shah Rukh Khan today said he is not big enough to attract people to Kashmir but hopes more filmmakers will return to the picturesque destination in future.
Shah Rukh, who completed his nine-day shooting schedule in the Valley for Yash Chopra's untitled project, is confident that people from South Asia and South East Asia will visit the valley when they watch the movie, which has been extensively shot in Kashmir.
“I am not so big but when people see the film made by a big banner with big names associated with it, people will come. I am hopeful of that,” the 46-year-old actor told reporters.
Shah Rukh also hoped that more Bollywood fimmakers will shoot in Kashmir, which was a favourite setting of romances before the beginning of militancy in the ‘90s.
“I am hopeful that more filmmakers will come to Kashmir. They have been coming before (militancy) on a larger scale,” Shah Rukh said.
Responding to a question about negative portrayal of Kashmir in Bollywood films, he said, “Any aspect that is geographical, ideological or political, the reason I won't comment on it in depth is that my knowledge is lacking. The biggest issue we have is that when people talk about things they don't know.”
The actor said it is the filmmaker who finally decides the story to be conveyed through his movie.
“In Indian film industry, the storytelling is always going to be dependent on the storyteller and they will decide what story to tell. I do understand that lot of people have issues... this kind of cinema should be made, that kind of cinema,” he added.
IANS adds: Hoping that his stay would encourage others to makes films in Kashmir, Shah Rukh Khan said he had never felt “this kind of happiness in life before”.
He said: “Naturally, people who hear me would like to come here either to make a movie or to simply see the beauty of the place. I never felt this kind of happiness in life before. I do not know what exactly it was.”
The actor found himself playing real life crowd controller at his press interaction here where most of the people had turned out to have a glimpse of their favourite superstar rather than listen to his views.
Dressed formally to attend his first media interaction at Hotel Lalit Palace overlooking the Dal Lake in Srinagar, Shah Rukh had to get up from his chair to maintain order so that he could hear questions posed by media persons.
The 46-year-old said his first experience with Kashmir had been so rewarding that he would be talking about it to his family and friends for the next 15 days.
Asked whether his visit would give a fillip to Kashmir as a Bollywood destination in future, SRK said: "I am not such a big person that others would follow me, but I have shot films in Switzerland, Mauritius, London and other places and the beauty of Kashmir is definitely unmatched by any other place. Inshallah, other filmmakers will come here to shoot their films in future."
After shooting for Yash Chopra's untitled film in famous tourist spots Pahalgam and north Gulmarg, SRK is scheduled to fly back to Mumbai Thursday. He was sad that his stay in the Valley has come to an end.
"It was always my father's dream to take me to Kashmir because his grandmother belonged to this place. Although I could not come here in his lifetime, yet making it finally to Kashmir has been the fulfilment of a family dream. I am happy it has been finally realised," he said.
Asked about Kashmir being portrayed in a certain manner especially since violence broke out here, he said: "Different people have different ideas. Films are just the reflection of a society and it depends on a storyteller what kind of story he wants to tell. For example, I am presently here shooting for a love story."
About the negative portrayal of Muslims in the West, SRK said: "We should not get into a negative attitude. I think all of us must explain to others that what some of us might be doing by way of violence has nothing to do with our religion."
Commenting upon his larger than life stature in the Indian film industry, he said: "God has always been very kind to me and everybody has been nice to me."
The film also features Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma and is scheduled for a Nov 13 release. The first teaser of the film has already hit the theatres.
