BOLLYWOOD STILL IN LOVE WITH KASHMIR

A number of film stars such as Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal, Sidharth Malhotra and Sushant Singh Rajput will soon shoot their films there

Although Bollywood filmmakers are now exploring the length and breadth of India in their films, nothing can replace their love for Kashmir. Their romance with the Valley — as seen in films such as Janwar (1965), Bobby (1973), SilSila (1981), Dil Se (1998), 3 Idiots (2009), Rockstar (2011), Highway (2014) and Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani (2013) — is going strong, with several upcoming films being shot in Kashmir’s picturesque locales. While unrest in the state does stall Alia Bhatt and Sushant Singh Rajput’s upcoming films will also show the Valley’s beauty Sidharth Malhotra recently posted a video of the view from his room in Kashmir film shooting at times, the incidents haven’t demotivated filmmakers. Sonmarg, Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Srinagar are the most-sought after shoot locations there.

Meghna Gulzar’s next starring Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal, Neeraj Pandey’s Aiyaary featuring Sidharth Malhotra, Sushant Singh Rajput-starrer Romeo Akbar Walter and Ashwin Kumar’s Noor, all have Kashmir in the backdrop.

Karan Johar’s upcoming movie, the sequel to Student Of The Year, will also be filmed there. Meanwhile, Arya Babbar just finished shooting for his upcoming film and sometime back, Tiger Shroff shot there. At the moment Sajid Ali, brother of Imtiaz Ali, is shooting his romantic drama in the state.

“Kashmir’s stunning beauty never ceases to appeal to filmmakers. Also, its people are warm and friendly, and that makes shooting easier,” says film critic Taran Adarsh.

In a year, the J&K Tourism gives approval for about 30-40 films to be shot in the state. Mahmood Ahmad Shah, Director Tourism, believes that even a small film becomes big if shot in the Valley. “Romance is back in Kashmir... We’re making sure that we allow only those films that show Kashmir in positive light,” he says.

VICKY KAUSHAL, ACTOR