Bollywood filmmakers scout for sites in Kashmir

SRINAGAR: Bollywood has started exploring scenic backdrops for film projects in Kashmir and some of the prominent representatives of big production houses were left mesmerised during a tour of the valley.

Among the top guns on the lookout are Ajay Devgun Films, Sanjay Dutt Productions, Reliance Entertainment, Rohit Shetty Films, Zee Studios, Adhikari Brothers & SAB (Marathi), Endemol, Rajkumar Hirani, Excel Entertainment besides representatives from Producers Guild, Mumbai.

A 24-member delegation visited various places including

Gulmarg and Pahalgam since Thursday and held an interaction with the media at Sher-ikashmir International Convention Centre in Srinagar on Friday which was facilitated by the tourism department.

“This programme has been organised to rejuvenate Kashmir’s association with the film industry. There is no dearth of scenic beauty or film spots in valley. The 24-member team itself experienced the places like Gulmarg, Pahalgam or Srinagar and other places for which they were invited here,” said director tourism GN Itoo.

“We want the promotion of tourism like we used to have in old times with film industry, we want them to again revive that he said.

Nitin Ahuja, CEO of Film Producers Guild of India ,said the association of Bollywood with Kashmir was nothing new.

“It has been going on from Raj and Shammi (Kapoor’s) time. Yesterday, we went to Gulmarg where we saw Bobby house (in which Bobby film was shot),” he said adding, “The atmosphere we have witnessed here, the beauty of the place is made for camera. I am sure in coming months many film makers will come here,” he said.

Chairman of Raja Rani Travels, Abhijeet Patil, an old name in promotion of Kashmir, said the representatives and officebearers of Federation of WICA are also part of the team.

“In the next six months they would train youth here to be cameraman, cinematographers and dancers which will serve many purposes; one the producassociation,” tions houses would have to bring fewer people from outside to cut costs and give employment to the youth and it will enhance brotherhood,” he said.

Director Itoo said Kashmir has been receiving interest from Bollywood filmmakers and regional entertainment houses since tourism began here.

“Kashmir is a natural backdrop for filmmakers and the department has been making it easy for them to get permissions for shooting,” he added.

“The Producers’ Guild praised the pristine beauty of Gulmarg and expressed a keen desire to shoot for their upcoming film projects at various locations in Kashmir,” an official spokesperson said.

Kashmir is a natural backdrop for filmmakers and the department has been making it easy for them to get permissions for shooting

GN ITOO, Tourism director