Kashmir calling, again

If the number of Bollywood films that are recently being shot in Kashmir is anything to go by then it won’t be wrong to say that Bollywood’s romance with the valley has once again begun.

If the number of Bollywood films that are recently being shot in Kashmir is anything to go by then it won’t be wrong to say that Bollywood’s romance with the valley has once again begun.

Kashmir has been the hot spot of shoots for many hit films, right from Junglee to Roja, Mission Kashmir and most recently, Rockstar. This year too, a host of filmmakers are looking at capturing Kashmir in their films. Choreographer Saroj Khan recently shot a dance sequence at the Tulip Garden for an upcoming film Kaash Tum Houtay. “Kashmir is the ultimate destination for all filmmakers whose stories and themes are powered by nature,” says Khan.

Filmmakers Karan Johar and Farah Khan have also visited the place for shoots. “We’ve had the best experience ever (in Kashmir). Also geographically, it’s stupendous,” says Johar, who shot a song for his forthcoming film, Student of the Year in February that was choreographed by Farah Khan. Actor Aamir Khan, too, shot for a campaign for Incredible India in the Dal Lake, recently. “I came here to shoot Mann. I hope Bollywood starts shooting films here like the good old times,” said Khan. If this is not all, actor Salman Khan has also shown keen interest to shoot Dabangg 2 here.

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Kashmir on big screen
Kashmir first hit silver screen in 1949 with Raj Kapoor’s film, Barsaat. However, it became popular with Shammi Kapoor’s hits such as Tumse Achha Kaun Hai (1969), Andaz (1971), Kashmir Ki Kali (1964) and Junglee (1961). It lost its popularity in between due to the outbreak of the militancy, but of late, films such as Lamhaa (2010) and Rockstar (2011) have put the valley back on filmmakers’ map.