Srinagar, Nov 18: At the recently held TEDx–NIT event at SKICC, acclaimed actor, theatre practitioner, filmmaker, and festival director Mushtaque Ali Ahmad Khan delivered an inspiring talk themed “The Show Must Go On”, captivating the audience with reflections on resilience, creativity, and the transformative role of challenges.
Khan drew a compelling parallel between adversity and upliftment, stating, “A kite rises higher when the wind resists it,” emphasising that opposition often becomes the force that elevates individuals toward growth and self-realisation.
Sharing insights from his distinguished artistic journey, Khan described living “in collisions” — between tradition and modernity, theatre and film, the local and the global. These collisions, he said, are not setbacks but sparks that ignite innovation. “In theatre, a collision happens when a performer’s truth meets the audience’s imagination. In cinema, it is when an image collides with silence to produce meaning. In festivals, it is the meeting of diverse voices and cultures that creates shared spaces of dialogue.”
He spoke candidly about his beginnings in Srinagar, starting “with limited resources and unlimited dreams.” Despite uncertainty, financial constraints, and moments of doubt, perseverance became his greatest asset. “Failure is not the opposite of success—it is part of success,” Khan remarked, underscoring how challenges shaped his resilience and sharpened his vision.
Khan stressed that true success is not defined by titles or recognition but by impact — inspiring others, uplifting communities, and proving that dreams can be realised with courage, discipline, and consistency.
Encouraging young listeners, he concluded, “Your story matters. Every setback is a setup for a comeback. Believe in your vision, stay consistent, and one day you will look back and realise that the journey itself was your greatest achievement.”
Khan’s address received an enthusiastic response, resonating deeply with students, educators, and creative minds in attendance | Kashmir Pen
