Talent vs. Tantrums: A Wake-Up Call for Kashmiri Women in Showbiz

Zia Darakshan

December 06,2025 : Kashmir has always remained a hotspot for Bollywood and the entertainment industry. The reason is simple: its breathtaking beauty, the innocence of its people, and locations that seem tailor-made for commercial productions. Bollywood’s love affair with Kashmir began in the 1960s and 70s when iconic films were shot here. Their songs not only topped charts but still live in our everyday moments.

The fascination continued into the 2000s, though it came to a brief halt in the 1990s due to unrest. But Bollywood returned and Kashmiris welcomed it back with open arms. We saw ourselves in those films. Actors felt like role models, almost godlike figures. The earlier generations cried for hours in cinema halls or in front of small black-and-white TVs; neighbors gathered on Sundays for the weekly movie. Those were days when entertainment felt pure, innocent, and shared.

I remember my grandmother crying for days over a movie simply because the character had the same name as my sister. I still cannot fathom the reason for her tears, but maybe it was the simplicity of her generation, the way cinema touched hearts without effort. I am sure anyone from the 70s, 80s, or 90s has cried at least once over the emotional storm of a Bollywood movie.

Back then, the love for the entertainment industry was deep and respectful. But with time, respect was overshadowed by competition, and passion was replaced by the pursuit of money. Today, the industry is driven by profit, TRP, and sensationalism. Much of what is being sold is shallow and loud, something everyone quietly knows.

Gen Z, eager to enter showbiz, seems less driven by admiration or curiosity and more by the lure of quick fame. Reality shows like Bigg Boss, currently running on Colors TV and hosted by Salman Khan, reflect this culture perfectly. For the first time, a Kashmiri girl is part of the show, but even she appears unsure of what she is projecting. The show thrives on TRP-driven drama, not talent. The more tantrums you throw, the more popularity you get.

But such fame is temporary. TRP can give quick visibility, yet only genuine talent can help a person survive once the hype dies. Kashmiri girls aspiring to succeed must understand that looks and artificial fame may give a moment of recognition, but they cannot carry a career especially in an industry where you can be a king one day and beggar the next day.

You may degrade your culture for attention and create noise for instant fame, but such recognition fades quickly. Many have taken this path before; their careers remain confined to local lanes  and nothing beyond it. True growth comes from decency, talent, and respect not noise.

What worries me most is the desperation among young girls today to enter showbiz at any cost. There is nothing wrong with the entertainment industry, but it must not come at the expense of dignity or authenticity. Following cheap trends, seeking votes, or misrepresenting oneself for attention can damage personal credibility and, sadly, the image of the community too.

Here, local film and entertainment platforms also share responsibility. They should be grooming raw talent and providing guidance, not promoting drama-driven shortcuts.

Kashmiri women dreaming of showbiz must remember: how you represent yourself and where you draw the line will decide the value of your journey. Quick fame may bring temporary attention, but only talent and pride in your roots will give you a career worth remembering.