Kashmir is not a conflict zone: Rahul Bhat

 "Who told you it is a conflict zone. It looks so because of the presence of the Army here," he said.

"The  Army should pull out from here. Kashmir is a tourist hub and a beautiful destination. All efforts should be put in to turn this Valley into a world famous tourist destination," Bhat said during an interaction with reporters here.

"I was so emotional and I cried when Kashmiri Muslims hugged and embraced me there. So, I am a Kashmiri Pandit. I must admit that Muslims in Kashmir suffered heavily than Kashmiri Pandits. They suffered all these years more than any community in the state did and the biggest tragedy that tore them apart was the September deluge," he said.

Bhat criticized the state government for its inaction towards the flood victims.

"The government provided meager amount to the flood victims that they spent on clearing the debris only. Youth and NGO's in Kashmir did a wonderful job and helped the sufferers," he said.

He said that Kashmiri youths are talented but the lack of infrastructure and opportunities destroy their talents.

"In my movie, I have a role for a Kashmiri singer Ajaz Rah. He is very talented and I believe that youths here have potential . These talents are needed to be harnessed," he said.

Bhat said he is thinking to launch a cricket club in Kashmir for the talented cricketers.

Pertinently, 'Fitoor' is not only the first Bollywood movie to be shot in Kashmir after last year's floods, but it is also the first to be shot in the valley this year.

(Reporting by Saleem Iqbal Qadri)