Ayash Arif with Nagabharana in the still of the film Image Credit: Exclusive Arrangement
Ayash Arif may be a new name to the people of Karnataka, but is a household name in Kashmir. The actor has been a part of Kashmiri theater and television for over two decades, as well as hosting radio shows. He has a PhD in Indigenous Folk Theater and Electronic Media of Kashmir and has worked as a writer, journalist, producer, director and actor in Kashmir.
With the film’s director and cinematographer Ashok Kashyap Image Credit: Exclusive Arrangement
That will change with Arif teaming up with Karnataka cinematographer Ashok Kashyap for a Kashmiri-Kannada bilingual film. Flowers from Kashmir. The film stars Kannada actors Nagabharana and Seetha Khote along with Arif, GM Wani, Anju Matoo, Javid Khan, Imran Farooq, Mohammad Shahid and Nishu Sharma from Kashmir. Screenplay by MS Ramesh, Ashok’s wife and journalist Rekha Rani penned the dialogues, Ashok has the story, direction and cinematography.
“We are excited about this film because it is a joint venture of four friends: Ashok, Masrat Khan, Mushtaq Wani and me,” says Arif over the phone from Jammu. “We named our banner Char Chinar Cinemax, after the famous place in Kashmir along with the Dal Lake.” Arif, winner of Tagore National Scholarship (2013-2014) is an alumnus of National School of Drama (1973) and has worked as General Counsel/Central Committee Member of Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages. .
Flowers of Kashmir, Arif says was shot in Kashmir in the middle of winter. “During the shoot we faced many challenges and tough weather conditions. At times, it was so cold that it was difficult for me to retain the emotions of the character while facing the camera. Yet, each of us managed to work through these challenges.
A still from the film Image Credit: Exclusive Arrangement
Arif says that the climax was shot in the snowy peaks of Mount Harmukh. “The high altitude shoot presented challenges.” Arif acted in Hindi and Kashmiri films emergency situation (with Kangana Ranaut) Inclab, Sajan And Mutti Barhak.
Arif says that the Kashmiri version is in the post-production stage and will release before the Kannada version. “I spoke in Kannada for the Kannada version and my co-actors from Bangalore spoke in Kashmiri for the Kashmiri version. Through this we learned a lot about each other’s culture and language. No matter where we come from, humanity is the same, friendship is the same, that also comes through in cinema.
Arif says it is the result of two decades of friendship with Ashok. “We worked together on a documentary on Kashmir and the floating gardens of Dal Lake for television in 1989. Soon we were working together on many Kashmiri serials for television. I found Ashok to be very knowledgeable about Kashmiri culture, our traditions and language. Any concept or story related to Kashmir would be easy for me to explain to him. It’s easy.”
Cast and crew in Kashmir during filming Image Credit: Exclusive Arrangement
Arif says that both of them wanted to make a film that depicts human relationships that transcend religion and gender. “We started discussing another story based on Dal Lake and wanted to do it with actors from Mumbai. It was taking longer than expected. We didn’t want to lose the spirit of collaboration and started discussing the story Flowers from Kashmir.”
Arif joined Doordarshan in 1974 and since then has been an A-grade artist on Doordarshan and Radio Srinagar. “In the last three decades we have witnessed many tragedies and bloodshed. People are depressed. My aim is to use my creativity and films as a platform to tell stories that act as a balm for the people of Kashmir. I use the medium of cinema to build a bridge between two communities. It is also a humble attempt to remember our beloved brothers, including those who left the valley that was their home.
Arif says Kashmir is a scenic location that has attracted filmmakers over the years. “We have a great culture and tradition, yet these are neglected and only negative aspects of Kashmir are captured and few films are made. Flowers of Kashmir It is an attempt to show that we are courteous, hospitable and willing to make any kind of sacrifice for our people.