Bollywood’s comeback a boost to Valley tourism

M Aamir Khan

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 21

Bollywood is slowly returning to the Valley after staying away from it for quite a long time.

A few film crews have shot in Kashmir this year, including at Srinagar Airport after more than three and a half decades. To attract more film crews, tourism department officials will soon visit Mumbai to extend a fresh invite to actors and filmmakers.

“This year, Salman Khan and John Abraham shot here. Filmmakers Bunty Walia and Vidhu Vinod Chopra also shot here and we are getting more queries. We are planning to go to Mumbai soon to give a message to actors and producers to come to Kashmir again and shoot here,” said Tasaduq Jeelani, Tourism Director.

The Kashmir valley used to be the second home of Bollywood before the eruption of militancy nearly three decades ago.

The government is now hoping that the tourism sector, which is on the revival path, will get a push once Bollywood returns with a bang.

The tourism sector had taken a hit after the nearly six-month unrest in 2016.

While John Abraham shot for ‘Romeo Akbar Walter’ last month, Salman Khan and Jacqueline Fernandez shot a song sequence for ‘Race 3’ at Sonmarg and Ladakh in April.

Filmmakers have shot in the Valley in the past as well. A film crew earlier this month shot at the high-security Srinagar Airport after more than three and a half decades. The stakeholders are hopeful that the shooting of films will send a positive message to Bollywood.

“Silsila (starring Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha) was the last movie shot here more than 35 years ago before Manoj Bajpai along with his crew shot for ‘The Family Man’,” said Akash Deep Mathur, Srinagar Airport director.

The Tourism Director said Discovery Channel was currently shooting a reality show in the Valley. He said it would help attract domestic and international tourists. He said the presence of film crews in the Valley was also helping create employment opportunities.

State to extend invite to actors

• Before militancy, Kashmir used to be the second home to Bollywood. Films used to be shot at Dal Lake and Gulmarg
• Officials are visiting Mumbai soon to extend a fresh invite to Bollywood actors and filmmakers
• The authorities are hopeful that the tourism sector will get a boost once more filmmakers choose to shoot here