In the wake of the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmiri filmmaker and assistant director Umer Nisar has announced his upcoming short film, Tasrufdar: Gins of Kashmir, as a cultural response aimed at revitalising the region’s struggling local film industry.
Speaking to ANI, Nisar described the project as more than just a film, it’s a call to action for Kashmiri storytellers to reclaim their narrative and breathe life back into regional cinema. “If we don’t initiate something post-Pahalgam attack or even otherwise, why would any filmmaker from outside come here? This is a step towards reviving cinema in Kashmir. All the local makers have come forward,” he said.
The filmmaker stressed the importance of homegrown storytelling to preserve Kashmir’s cultural voice and reframe how the region is perceived. “We need to bring all the makers together, everyone must contribute something meaningful,” Nisar added.
The announcement comes amid ongoing recovery efforts in Jammu and Kashmir following the May 2025 terror attack that targeted civilians in the popular tourist destination of Pahalgam. The incident led to a sharp decline in tourism, a key driver of the region’s economy.
Despite the setback, Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat expressed optimism, stating: “The way tourism has recovered in J&K in the last 1.5 months, we will be able to achieve pre-Pahalgam status by December.”
In retaliation to the attack, the Indian government launched Operation SINDOOR, a series of precision strikes targeting nine terrorist camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The military response involved drone strikes, loitering munitions, and advanced layered air defence systems. Pakistan responded with drone and missile attacks on 7–8 May, which were successfully intercepted by India’s integrated counter-UAS grids and net-centric warfare systems.
Against this backdrop of tension and resilience, Tasrufdar emerges as a testament to the power of cinema in healing and rebuilding. Umer Nisar’s initiative reflects a growing movement among Kashmiri creatives to shift the narrative from violence to cultural revival.
