Srinagar, Sep 9: Veteran filmmaker Ramesh Sippy on Wednesday expressed hope that filmmakers would once again return to Kashmir for film shoots, recalling his association with the Valley that dates back to 1964.

Speaking to reporters at INOX in Srinagar, Sippy said he had been visiting Kashmir regularly for decades but filmmaking activities were disrupted during a period of unrest.

“I have been coming here since 1964, very often. In between, there were problems, so we couldn’t come. But now it has reopened, everything is fine,” he said.

Sippy said he hoped both tourists and filmmakers would return to Kashmir, bringing back the region’s earlier connection with film production. He also noted the encouragement being extended by the government.

Asked if he was considering shooting a film in Kashmir, Sippy said he had visited the Valley to assess the situation and hoped to undertake a project in the near future.

“Right now we have come, observed everything and hope we will do it soon,” he said.

Welcoming the ongoing International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir, Sippy described it as an important beginning and expressed optimism about its potential to strengthen the region’s film industry.

“This is the beginning. A good beginning will augur well for all things to come,” he said.

The four-day IFFJK, being held under the theme “Rang-e-Cinema”, features more than 130 films and participation from filmmakers, artists and cinema professionals from India and abroad.