Movie posters back in Srinagar.

Movie posters defacing public property are an eyesore across the country but in Srinagar they are a novelty. A whole generation in J&K didn't get to experience them since the outbreak of militancy in 1990.

Poster culture has made a comeback here with the Hindi film 'Bholaa' and immediately became a talking point. They can be seen on Boulevard Road on Dal Lake, next to the Tourist Reception Centre and other areas in uptown Srinagar. Boulevard Road is a beehive of tourist activity. Bhola is being screened in the INOX multiplex, which was opened in September last, bringing cinema back in Kashmir after 35 yrs.

Javed Ahmed, who is pursuing his post graduation from the University of Kashmir said it is for the first time in his life that he has seen movie posters in Kashmir.

A tourist who did not want to be identified remarked that the posters suggest the Valley, too, has movie lovers. "During our earlier visits here, we used to wonder as to how people spent their spare time without cinema", he said. Abdul Aziz, senior citizen, was nostalgic about the reappearance of the posters after 35 yrs.

"Before the eruption of militancy, big movie posters of actors used to be plastered across the walls", he recalled.

- Fayaz Wani in the NIE

My take

The cruising of the J&K to normalcy thanks to PM Narendra Modi's bold Kashmir policy with a firm hand, trifurcation of the state to Union Territories and starting the development process in multi-crore projects to improve infrastructure.

Tailpiece.

Got up at 5, saw the Vishukkani and went about our usual morning chores. A quiet and relaxed day!