February 7th, 2009
AHMEDABAD: Lamhaa, a film about the problems faced by people of Kashmir, has been mired in row ever since the unit began shooting in the Valley.
Film director Rahul Dholakia whose first film Parzania on Gujarat riots kicked up quite a controversy recently finished shooting his next ambitious film Lamhaa in Kashmir.
The shooting had to be halted in October last year after fruit traders in Srinagar objected to a certain scene. It was again suspended after students of a college in Anantnag protested over the film being shot inside college premises. The unit had to stop work in November after Bipasha Basu left a shoot midway at Anantnag.
"We faced many problems in Kashmir because there was some misunderstanding among people about us. But the problems were sorted out later and they helped us in shooting. Kashmiris are fearless and they live a totally different life, one with a lot of problems. I want to highlight these problems in my film - a drama and a thriller," says Rahul Dholakia.
"In my last film too, I pointed out the problems in Gujarat after the 2002 riots. This film shows the contemporary problems of Kashmiris in a realistic manner," added Rahul.
Rahul has researched extensively for this film and also spent much time in Kashmir before writing the script. He visited sensitive areas and met many people.
"We were not permitted to shoot at some places where militancy is high. People of Kashmir love Sanjay Dutt. However, Bipasha left shooting due to certain security reasons. She later came back and finished shooting in the Valley," says Rahul.
After Parzania, Rahul is keeping his fingers crossed for Lamhaa. "I have again tried to show the real situation of Kashmiri people. I hope the film does not face any problem."
AHMEDABAD: Lamhaa, a film about the problems faced by people of Kashmir, has been mired in row ever since the unit began shooting in the Valley.
Film director Rahul Dholakia whose first film Parzania on Gujarat riots kicked up quite a controversy recently finished shooting his next ambitious film Lamhaa in Kashmir.
The shooting had to be halted in October last year after fruit traders in Srinagar objected to a certain scene. It was again suspended after students of a college in Anantnag protested over the film being shot inside college premises. The unit had to stop work in November after Bipasha Basu left a shoot midway at Anantnag.
"We faced many problems in Kashmir because there was some misunderstanding among people about us. But the problems were sorted out later and they helped us in shooting. Kashmiris are fearless and they live a totally different life, one with a lot of problems. I want to highlight these problems in my film - a drama and a thriller," says Rahul Dholakia.
"In my last film too, I pointed out the problems in Gujarat after the 2002 riots. This film shows the contemporary problems of Kashmiris in a realistic manner," added Rahul.
Rahul has researched extensively for this film and also spent much time in Kashmir before writing the script. He visited sensitive areas and met many people.
"We were not permitted to shoot at some places where militancy is high. People of Kashmir love Sanjay Dutt. However, Bipasha left shooting due to certain security reasons. She later came back and finished shooting in the Valley," says Rahul.
After Parzania, Rahul is keeping his fingers crossed for Lamhaa. "I have again tried to show the real situation of Kashmiri people. I hope the film does not face any problem."
