Bollywood films have influenced international viewpoints on Kashmir, portraying its beauty and the ongoing conflict. The film 'Haider' uses its narrative to address the psychological impacts of violence, asking profound existential questions about Kashmiri identity. Earlier Bollywood depictions of Kashmir, such as in 'Barsaat' and 'Kashmir ki Kali,' primarily use the region as a romantic backdrop, neglecting its political complexities. Sanjay Kak highlights that Kashmir was treated as a fantasy playground for Indian narratives, with local voices often relegated to the periphery.
"Are we here or not? If we are, where and if not, where have we gone? If we exist, for whom and when? Sir... were we ever there, or never at all?" This powerful dialogue from 'Haider' captures the existential questions surrounding the identity and presence of Kashmiris amid conflict.
According to Sanjay Kak, Kashmir served as a playground, "where the fantasies of Indians could be played out, with Kashmiris playing bit parts somewhere in the background." This highlights how Bollywood often overlooked the realities of Kashmiris.
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