20-JUN-2025, 01:00PM
In the aftermath of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, acclaimed young filmmaker Umer Nisar is determined to rewrite the narrative of Kashmir. Through his latest short film Tasrufdar: Gins of Kashmir, Nisar seeks not only to reflect the emotional and cultural fabric of the valley but also to breathe new life into the region’s struggling film industry.
Known for his socially-driven storytelling and visual finesse, Umer Nisar is positioning Tasrufdar as both a tribute to Kashmiri resilience and a rallying cry for cinematic revival in a land often clouded by conflict.
Umer Nisar : Vision: Art as Resistance and Healing
How Umer Nisar Is Channeling Grief Into Creativity
With Tasrufdar: Gins of Kashmir, Umer Nisar transforms the darkness cast by the Pahalgam terror attack into a narrative of mysticism, cultural introspection, and resistance through art. In a region that frequently grabs headlines for violence, Nisar aims to offer a counter-narrative—one that emphasizes beauty, folklore, and the power of storytelling.
In his words, Tasrufdar is “a supernatural allegory of identity, loss, and rediscovery.” The film dives deep into Kashmiri mythology, bringing to life the lesser-known tales of the ‘Gins’—supernatural beings rooted in the region’s folklore. By weaving these elements into a modern cinematic structure, Umer Nisar intends to reconnect younger generations with their cultural past.
“This film is not just a creative project; it’s a protest against the silencing of Kashmiri voices. It’s our way of telling the world: we are more than conflict,” he said during the film’s first look release.
Kashmir’s Dormant Film Industry and Umer Nisar : Mission
Rebuilding the Valley’s Cinematic Legacy
Kashmir, once a favorite shooting location for Bollywood, has seen a dramatic decline in film activity over the last three decades due to political instability and frequent violence. Local filmmakers have struggled with funding, access, and safety. In this climate, Umer Nisar has emerged as a resilient voice advocating for the reawakening of Kashmiri cinema.
With Tasrufdar, he is taking an independent route—financed through small grants, crowdfunding, and community support. According to Nisar, the film has provided employment opportunities for young local artists, technicians, and students.
“Every frame of Tasrufdar has been shot in Kashmir, using Kashmiri talent. We want to build a film ecosystem here—from writers to editors to musicians—so that our stories are told by us,” said Umer Nisar.
His larger mission is to establish a grassroots film culture in Kashmir that empowers locals to create, share, and preserve their stories.
Tasrufdar: A Glimpse into a Fantastical Yet Grounded Kashmir
Merging Folklore with Contemporary Kashmir
The short film Tasrufdar follows a teenage girl who stumbles upon a mysterious manuscript in the ruins of an abandoned shrine. As she unravels the secrets of the “Gins,” her perception of her identity, history, and the forces around her begins to change. The story is a delicate fusion of fantasy and realism, with visual motifs inspired by Sufi traditions, Kashmiri woodcraft, and regional oral literature.
Umer Nisar explained that the film is not about escaping reality but enriching it through imagination. “Folklore is resistance. It carries our memory, our fears, our hopes. By embracing it, we are not running away from our trauma; we are reinterpreting it,” he noted.
Critics who previewed early cuts of the film praised its aesthetic choices and emotional depth. The use of authentic costumes, traditional music, and hand-crafted set pieces demonstrates Nisar’s commitment to authenticity.
Support from the Creative Community and Youth
Why Umer Nisar’s Film Resonates Beyond Borders
Since the announcement of Tasrufdar, Umer Nisar has received support from filmmakers, academics, and artists both in India and abroad. The film has already been invited for preview screenings at select film schools and cultural centers in Mumbai, Delhi, and London.
One reason for its resonance is the universal theme of storytelling as survival. In a post-pandemic, post-conflict world, Nisar’s message is clear: art can rebuild what violence seeks to destroy.
His initiative has also galvanized the youth in Kashmir, with many volunteering to assist with production or spread awareness online. “For the first time, I felt like I was part of something bigger than myself,” said a college student who interned on the film set.
By involving young people, Umer Nisar is fostering not only cinematic talent but also a sense of ownership and pride in Kashmir’s creative potential.
Challenges Ahead: Censorship, Safety, and Sustainability
Umer Nisar Confronts Political and Practical Obstacles
Despite the enthusiasm, the road ahead is not without hurdles. Umer Nisar acknowledged the difficulty of operating in a region where security concerns often override artistic freedom.
“We had to stop shooting twice because of curfews. Some of our locations were shut down overnight. This is the reality of filmmaking in Kashmir,” he shared.
There are also concerns about how the film will be received by authorities. While Tasrufdar doesn’t take a political stance explicitly, its underlying message of cultural resilience could be interpreted in different ways.
However, Nisar remains undeterred. “I’ve always believed that art should provoke thought, not avoid it. If we stay silent, we become complicit,” he said.
Conclusion: Umer Nisar’s Tasrufdar is More Than a Film—It’s a Movement
Through Tasrufdar: Gins of Kashmir, Umer Nisar is not merely making a short film; he is initiating a cultural movement. One that insists on storytelling in the face of suppression, community in the face of fragmentation, and beauty in the face of horror.
As Kashmir continues to grapple with political volatility, voices like Nisar’s are essential—not just for the region, but for the soul of Indian cinema.
His dream? To see a Kashmiri film win global awards, to see a thriving film school in Srinagar, and to hear Kashmiri voices on screens around the world.
If Tasrufdar is any indication, that dream is well on its way to becoming reality.
Source : ANI
