Looking back at my debut film, ‘Yahaan’, I’m filled with happiness and pride. This movie has a special place in my heart, and I’m grateful for every moment spent working on it. The cinematography by Jakob Ihre is exceptional, presenting Kashmir in an organic and realistic way. It’s like a poetic paradise, with a lyrical quality that makes the movie even more captivating.
I was fortunate to work with Gulzar Saab and Shantanu Moitra, who created some of the most evocative music and lyrics. They added depth to the film, and I was thrilled to have them on board, especially Gulzar Saab. The plot of ‘Yahaan’ is thought-provoking, with a Kashmiri girl questioning the status quo and her brother entangled in the process. The love story between the Kashmiri girl and an army personnel adds a layer of complexity to the narrative.
I wanted to showcase the broken Kashmir of that time, the Kashmiriyat, and the locals who were against the events that unfolded in 1989. The film aims to be hopeful, bringing together an army guy, a Kashmiri girl, and a Hindu girl who’s been adopted by a family.