Winter in Kashmir (Photo Credit: News Nation)
Srinagar:
After decades, Bollywood is finally returning to the valley. Kashmir witnessed heavy snowfall this season which made every part of the valley look like heaven. Around 15 shoots of music albums, films, ads and tv serials were done in the last two months at most beautiful locales of Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Dal Lake. All those people Associated with Tourism Sector are happy about the change. Bollywood actress Sana khan ,Aditya Nayaran Sukhwinder Singh, Salman Ali, Guru Randhawa, Shehnaz Gill, Badshah and many more tv stars had visited Kashmir this winter. All these celebrities had one thing to say about Kashmir that it’s the most beautiful place on planet.
While many shoots took place in Kashmir this winter, many production houses and Producers guild was also in Kashmir to re start the process of Shootings for films in the Valley. The production houses like Ajay Devgan Films, Sanjay Dutt productions, Reliance entertainment aur Rohit Shetty films were a part of the group who visited the valley. And it’s being hoped that Kashmir will Once again be a part of film industry like it used to be 1970-1980. “ We received so much love during our this trip. And the relation between Bollywood and Kashmir is not new. We are trying to start and revive the whole process again as it used to be in earlier days. We are also hopeful that in the coming days we will get all the help from tourism department and would be great to come back to these locales to shoot again. said Nitin Gurkari, Producers Guild Mumbai.
It’s been seen as the return of Bollywood to Kashmir after 30 years. And these shoots have added more to the beauty of valley. There hasn’t been a big movie being shot yet but dozens of music videos, ads and regional film shoots have given a hope to the people associated with tourism that it will be better in the coming days. The tourism stake holders like hoteliers, houseboat owners, line producers, and tourism department are of the opinion that it’s the start of good times for them. “The relation between Kashmir and Bollywood is decades old. 1960 onwards so many films were shot here in the valley. Big Banners used to shoot films here and tourism was always benefitted because of that.
Now we have taken up an initiative to revive the tradition of shootings in the valley. We will give them easy access to come and shoot here. Provide them with every facility. Kashmir needs to be out on international tourism map again and these shoots will also generate employment for the people of the valley. “ said Director Tourism, G N Itoo.
Kashmir is not new for the Bollywood. In 1970-80 most of the films were shot in the valley. The most famous Bollywood songs were shot in world famous Dal Lake. And in the recent past around two dozen films were shot here. Hits like Haider, Highway, Rockstar, Jab tak Hai Jaan, Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Fitoor were shot here.
“I think Bollywood shoot revival happened a bit earlier but what is now happening is that music videos, ads and regional cinema shoots have started to take place here. And I think the number is going to Increase as the message is going across that it’s peaceful here to shoot. It also generates employment and a lot of people gain experience through these shoots, Said Khawar Jamshed Film Maker/ Line Producer from the valley. And now the hope is that Kashmir will be back to being the most favourite shoot destination for Film Industry.
