Mushtaaque Ali Ahmad Khan Unplugged
The Show Must Go On !
News Kashmir Exclusive
Mushtaaque Ali Ahmad Khan is an actor of stage, Radio, Television and a filmmaker. He is also a theatre practitioner. He started his career back in 1988.
Born and brought up in Srinagar, Khan has acted in and has directed more than two dozen stage plays. He is one of the leading filmmakers of Kashmir and for the last more than 3 decades he has produced and directed more than 300 hundred documentary films / Tele Films/episodes of serials/music albums for DD Kashir, DD Urdu, J&K Tourism, Excise Department, Kashmir University and other clients.
Having completed his post graduation from Kashmir University in 1982, Khan has been awarded, honoured & felicitated from time to time by state cultural academy, other prestigious organisations and associations for his contribution in the field of theatre and filmmaking.
The filmmaker has also attended ‘Film Appreciation Course’ held under the joint auspices of NFAI (National Film Archives of India) & FTII (Film and Television Institute of India) in Pune (1997). He also attended “Basic Videography Course” held at FTII in 2006.
The Stalwart, who defied all barriers to bring World Class films to the Valley, who struggled against all odds, the cultural activist and The Man behind KWFF !!!
Recalling his struggling days, Khan said: “People have struggled in Bollywood but my struggle began from Kashmir itself. It was not easy to get the space in Radio, TV and Theatre in the beginning. In Radio, I cleared my audition in the third chance. In Theatre, I was made to serve tea to my seniors and I never felt ashamed of it. That’s how I have grown up”.
When asked about what kind of person he is, Khan replied with a smiling face, “I am a simple human. I love music, photography, theatre and films. I am an artistic person. I want to be surrounded by art, peace, love and everything that gives me solace. Earlier, music was my first passion and after music, it was acting. I acted extensively for Theatre, TV & Radio and enjoyed it. And later I started directing stage plays and TV films and TV Serials. Now I love both of the professions”.
Adding some flavour to the story, Khan said that he had to leave the dream city because of the unavoidable circumstances. “I was in Mumbai for two years. I acted in some serials. I had few meetings with film directors for few assignments but I couldn’t make it as I didn’t stay there for a long time due to some domestic issues at my home in Kashmir and I had to return back”
He is the first filmmaker of the valley, who produced & directed documentaries for UGC’s countrywide classroom through AVRC of Kashmir University.
He is the founder and director of ‘Kashmir World Film Festival’ – a first of its kind and magnitude in Kashmir. He is also working as Consultant with North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC), Patiala at its Srinagar office. He is the Chairman of Actors Creative Theatre (ACT), an organisation, active in the field of Art, Culture, Film & Literature, since 1976.
Khan has been conducting film festivals, theatre festivals, theatre workshops, seminars, interactions, discussions and other functions on subjects like art, culture, film and literature involving hundreds and thousands of art loving people, especially youth.
Till date Khan has been felicitated with many awards – Infotel Award” for his meritorious services in the field of “Theatre, Radio & Television”, presented by Hon’ble Minister of J&K State, Mohtarma Asiya Naqash (12th Nov. 2017), Was presented “Award of Honour” for his meritorious services in the field of Theatre and Film Making by “All Artists Welfare Association Jammu”, presented by State President BJP Shri Sat Sharma and Secretary Academy of Art, Culture and Languages Mr Azeez Hajni (22nd Dec. 2016 at Jammu), Short Film “Sula Mout” directed by him was awarded by J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages. The award was presented by the Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly Mr Kavinder Gupta (12th Oct. 2015), “Infotel Award” for his meritorious services in the field of “Theatre, Radio & Television”, presented by Hon’ble Minister of J&K State, Jenab Ghulam Hassan Mir (Dec. 2014), “Athwas Award” for his meritorious services in the field of “Theatre, Radio & Television”, presented by Hon’ble Minister of J&K State, Jenab Ali Mohammad Sagar (April 2011), The films “Ek afsana chaman ka” and “Tresh Ta Tarpan” produced and directed by him got “IInd Best Production” and “Consolation Award” respectively, in the first Film Festival/Competition of J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages, presented by Hon’ble Minister of J&K State, Mr. Nasir Aslam Wani (March 2010), “Award of Excellence” for “Best contribution in TV & Theatre” awarded by Travel Agents Association of Kashmir, presented by Hon’ble Minister of J&K State, Mr. Nawang Rigzin Jora (October 2009), “Best Direction” and “Best Set Designer” for the stage play “Taqdeer Saaz” in the Theatre Festival of J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages. The play was also awarded Best Production and got a total of nine awards, presented by Shri Vijay Baqaya (25 May 2009), “Academy’s Special prize of Best Direction” and “Best Set Designer” for the stage play “EK POTLI ARMANOON KI” in the Theatre Festival of J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages. The play was also awarded Best Production (jointly), and got a total of eight awards, presented by Hon’ble Union Minister Shri Saifuddin Soz (2006-07), “Best Set Designer” for the play “Jheel Bula Rahi Hai” in Doordarshan Srinagar’s Theatre Festival. The play which was directed by him was also awarded “3rd Best Production” and got a total of four awards, presented by His Excellency Gen. S. K. Sinha Governer of J&K State (2005), “Best Director” (Shakir & Aslam Memorial Award”) by Jehlum Art Media for directing Tele-film “Phirsaal” (2000), “Best Acting Award” for acting in the stage play “Bhoma” by J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages (1986) and “Special Prize” for acting in the stage play “Juloos” by J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages (1983).
He has many achievements to his credit. He has been awarded senior fellowship in the field of folk theatre for a period of two years by Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India (2009 – 2011). Has worked as a subject consultant in the Hindi Feature film “TAHAAN”, directed by Santosh Sivan (2007-08). The documentary film titled “KASHMIRI MUSIC” produced & directed by him in 1994 was screened in the International Film Festival, held in Srinagar, organised by Films Division and J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages (June 2007) and others.
Mushtaaque has also served as an expert and the judge for his outstanding knowledge regarding the subjects like art and culture. He was an expert in the selection committee of J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, for the selection of Costume designer (Aug. 2006), a member of the panel of Jury in the Painting competition in Kashmir University (Nov. 2008), a member of the panel of Jury in the Theatre Festival/ Competition organised by ANHAD (Aug. 2009), a member of the panel of Jury in ANHAD’s Young Filmmakers Documentary Film Festival (Nov. 2009), was member of the panel of Jury in Folk Theatre festival organised by J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages and North Zone Cultural Centre, Patiala (Nov. 2009), was Judge in the 3-day Talent Hunt Programme, held at Bandipore by J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages (May 2011), an expert in the Auditions conducted by Song and Drama Division in Srinagar twice (July 2009 & May 2011), a member of the panel of jury in Theatre Festival organised by J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages in Srinagar (July 2013), a member of the panel of jury in the Drama Audition held by Radio Kashmir Srinagar (5th & 6th Aug. 2015), a member of the panel of jury in the Theatre Festival organised by J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages in Abhinav Theatre, Jammu (7th to 20th Dec 2015) and an expert for evaluating the plays for Theatre Festival organised by J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages in Srinagar (2017).
Being into the profession of filmmaking, Khan asserted that the Bollywood has not explored many destinations in the valley. “Be it for what reasons, but I believe that the film industry has not explored the valley properly. There are many beautiful places that I know personally, where they have not filmed so far and in contrary, I will say that in Kashmir there is a saying that wherever you open your camera, you get a perfect frame”
Explaining about Kashmir World Film Festival (KWFF) Khan’s latest venture, he said: “From the past few years, I had a dream of holding a film festival in Kashmir. I was planning for more than a year and finally, in 2017, I did it. The first edition of Kashmir World Film Festival was held in July 2017. In November 2017, we did its second edition and in June 2018 we returned for the 3rd one. Now, we are all set to host its 4th edition in November 2018,” Khan said.
“In the festival world, class films and the films from different states of India are screened. The films made on Kashmir get a special emphasis,” he added.
For his initiative of the film festival, Khan has been receiving an overwhelming response and support from all sections of the society and also from the Mumbai film industry. “I kept moving and people kept joining me. My wish is that the KWFF should continue even after my death. I strongly believe in “THE SHOW MUST GO ON,” he concluded.
