He won accolades and awards for cinematography for his first film Omkara. The training he received from American Film School in Los Angeles prepared Tassaduq Hussain Mufti, the only son of former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, for his debut in the reel world. He is now making his debut in politics, at a time when his Peoples Democratic Party appears to be on a downward spiral. Its alliance with the BJP has hit the party hard even in its strongholds like Anantnag, from where Tassaduq is contesting a Lok Sabha byelection. The legacy of his father, he hopes, would bring him votes on April 12, the election day. Yet, it won’t be easy for the 45-year-old, especially as the byelection comes after a violent year of mass uprisings in which as many as 96 Kashmiris lost their lives.
There is no doubt that Tassaduq’s entry into politics could alter Kashmir’s political landscape. There is already talk about his sister Mehbooba Mufti, the chief minister, wanting to give up an active political role like Sonia Gandhi. But, that is easier said than done, given Kashmir’s complex and unpredictable political climate. Tassaduq’s main opponent is state Congress president Ghulam Ahmad Mir, who is supported by the National Conference.
“Politics never really thrilled me,’’ Tassaduq told THE WEEK. “I was more of a free spirit and wanted to do things to my liking. My father never interfered in what I did.’’ As a young boy, Tassaduq enjoyed camping, trekking and swimming in the Dal lake. He remembers his father as more of an easygoing person than an astute politician. ‘’He took us fishing, horse riding and to visit mulberry plantations and silk factories,’’ said Tassaduq. Mehbooba would guide him in studies and teach him maths. “As we grew older, all of us siblings got busy with our own lives. Now Mehbooba is my mentor again,” said Tassaduq.
When militancy erupted in Kashmir, Tassaduq, like most other rich and well-connected kids, left Kashmir. He went to a business school in Delhi. “My father was Union home minister and I used to be surrounded by a lot of security,’’ he said. ‘’But after I returned from Los Angeles, nobody knew who I was. Even Vishal Bhardwaj, director of Omkara, was surprised when he found out.”
Although he stayed out of Kashmir for a large part of his life, Tassaduq has retained close ties with the state. He had shot a documentary on the families of missing people in Kashmir. “I have not edited it yet,’’ he said. He had also filmed a promotional campaign for Incredible India. “Although it was a promotional campaign, the shooting went on for 31 days because of Kashmir,’’ said Tassaduq. “Sometimes the strongest images come from tragedies, discontent and chaos. Kashmir never fails to inspire an artist or a filmmaker. Whether it is the pain or the beauty of Kashmir, it grips you,” said Tassaduq.
He has plans to set up skill-based training schools for the educated youth of Kashmir. He also plans to rope in some of his friends from the American Film Institute to set up a film school in Kashmir. He has already invited an editor of the Film and Television Institute of India for a training workshop for budding documentary filmmakers.
As elections approach, Tassaduq has not forgotten his political commitments. He starts his day by reading newspapers, followed by attending a briefing of the day’s schedule. He then sets out for campaign along with Mehbooba and uncle Sartaj Madni and other PDP leaders. Although he has made a few measured speeches, most of the talking is done by Mehbooba.
Tassaduq said he was enjoying his new career move. “I am learning new things and getting a little bit lazy because I am not doing much. I don’t understand regions and sub-regions; I need to brush up on history, too,” he said. “I would allow my sister to handle things and learn for her. Baby steps are what I need.”
Son-rise in the valley
Tassaduq Hussain Mufti
* Only son and youngest of four children of Mufti Mohammed Sayeed
* Studied at Tyndale-Biscoe school in Srinagar
* Left Kashmir in 1989 as militancy gained momentum
* Did MBA in Delhi
* Joined the American Film School in Los Angeles to learn cinematography
* Notable films include Omkara and Kaminey
* Entered politics in January 2016 a year after the death of his father
* Contesting from Anantnag Lok Sabha seat vacated by sister Mehbooba Mufti
* Pet causes include environmental and ecological preservation and cultural heritage of Kashmir
