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National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Saturday criticised the use of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly complex for the shooting of the web series ‘Maharani‘, calling the decision an “absolute shame”.
His criticism was countered by filmmaker Hansal Mehta who questioned how filming a drama could be seen as demeaning to democracy, as everyone involved in a film set is citizens with the right to work with dignity.
Mehta went on to highlight the negative impact of such unwelcoming attitudes on India’s reputation as a filming location.
In his post on X, Abdullah had said, “The true face of ‘the mother of democracy’, where once elected representatives of the people from all parties, religions, backgrounds and parts of Jammu and Kashmir legislated on matters of great importance now actors & extras use it as a set for TV dramas.”
He said it was a “shame that the BJP-driven government in J&K has reduced the symbol of democracy, where they once sat and governed, to this sorry state of affairs”.
Abdullah further wrote, “They even have a fake CM coming out of an office I was privileged to occupy for 6 years. What an absolute shame!!!!”
Replying to Abdullah’s post, Hansal Mehta expressed his respect for the former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir but described his comments as “disrespectful, regressive, and myopic.”
Mehta wrote on X, “Why is it a shame? How is filming of a drama demeaning democracy or the ‘mother of democracy’? Everybody on a film set including actors, background actors(called ‘extras’ by you) are all citizens of this country and have every right to work with dignity and deserve respect and understanding- at least from somebody as educated as yourself.”
The filmmaker added, “In countries around the world we are given use of public places, government buildings, council halls and the like for shooting. It is because of this unwelcoming attitude that India is considered an unfriendly shooting location and we often prefer shooting abroad. I have great respect for you, but this feels very disrespectful, regressive and myopic.”
The Huma Qureshi-starrer ‘Maharani‘ which was shot in June of the previous year, draws inspiration from the political landscape of Bihar in the 1990s.
The Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly has not been in session since its dissolution in December 2018, and following the revocation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, Jammu and Kashmir was reorganised into two Union territories, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, with the latter being without an assembly.
