Filmmaker Aamir Bashir revisits his experiences making ‘Harud’ fifteen years on. He notes the significant changes in Kashmir and India, and questions the narrative of mainstreaming Kashmir, suggesting a reverse trend.
Bashir recalls that his main priority during the making of ‘Harud’ was simply completing the film, unconcerned with how it would be received. He acknowledges the constraints of limited resources, which forced him to be resourceful. Bashir emphasizes that the experience was organic and fulfilling. He says ‘Harud’ was born from boredom and a desire to tell a genuine Kashmiri story.
He finds the funding landscape difficult for politically charged films set in Kashmir, noting the challenges faced by his later project, ‘The Winter Within,’ despite critical acclaim. Bashir reflects on his acting career, attributing the lack of roles to industry factors, including the importance of social media and economic downturns.