“Aatish-e-Tilism” Triumphs with Best Director Award at Srinagar’s International Film Festival

“Aatish-e-Tilism” Triumphs with Best Director Award at Srinagar’s International Film Festival

Srinagar: Addiction, as they say, is a disease. It takes more than a community to raise children in a region plagued by drugs, instability, and fear. In the documentary “Aatish-e-Tilism,” journalist and director Anil Kumar Singh leads viewers through Kashmir’s unified struggle against the destructive impact of drugs on countless adolescents and families.

This 16-minute documentary premiered at the International Film Festival of Srinagar on October 26. Anil Kumar Singh was honored as the Best Director by Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha. The festival featured films from seventeen countries, including Cuba, the United States, Iran, and Palestine.

Through interviews with students, doctors, local NGO activists, and government officials, the film illuminates how civil society and ordinary citizens have come together to establish a growing ecosystem to combat addiction. The root cause, as depicted in the documentary, is the massive influx of drugs smuggled through tunnels from across the border, with the proceeds used to fund terrorist activities, a phenomenon referred to as ‘narco-terrorism.

While the use of cigarettes and plant-based drugs like marijuana is common in the region, according to Kumar, it is the synthetic drugs trafficked from across the border that have wreaked havoc on the lives of Kashmir’s youth. The documentary employs poetry to delve into the psyche of these young addicts.

During his time in Kashmir as a journalist, Singh observed school students engaging in substance use in various settings, which compelled him to create this documentary. He explained that addiction, particularly among adolescents, is a complex issue, as it widens the gap between them and their parents, leaving them vulnerable and isolated. The stigma surrounding drugs isolates these young adults from seeking help and further pushes them into addiction. NGOs like Chotay Taray step in to provide a safe space for these individuals to receive the necessary care and help raise awareness among both children and parents, ultimately fostering a society with less stigma. The efforts of these organizations are gradually yielding positive results, with more rehabilitation centers opening, more addicts receiving essential care in hospitals, and more families joining the movement to reduce the stigma.

This documentary, shot in Kashmir and co-created with Turkish filmmaker Ozge Uyar, highlights these collective endeavors and shares the powerful stories of those involved. The central message conveyed by the people on the ground, whether survivors or activists, remains consistent: steer clear of drugs, and if you are battling addiction, always seek help.

(JKNN)