Film Tourism in Jammu and Kashmir

About Film Tourism in Jammu Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir, with its breathtaking beauty and incredible landscape that is dotted with meadows, valleys, high altitude passes, dense forests of pine and conifer, lakes, apple orchards, snow capped peaks of Pir Panjal Ranges, provides just the perfect background for shooting a film and no wonder then, that it is highly sought after. Several movies have been shot in this beautiful region, with film tourism in Jammu and Kashmir remaining as popular as ever.

Not only is it good for the movie, but also spreads its popularity as a lovely tourist destination among tourists and travellers. Jammu and Kashmir was the most preferred among the other film tourism destinations in the past few decades, and even today, continues to remain a favourite, attracting filmmakers from all over India and across the globe.

Popular Films Shot in Jammu and Kashmir

Kashmir has always been a highly sought after film location in India, and has always attracted film makers, producers, directors and actors. Bollywood’s love affair with Kashmir began from the 1960’s, when several movies like Himalaya Ki God Mein, Jab Jab Phool Khile, Kashmiri ki Kali and Janwar were some of the popular films shot in Jammu and Kashmir. Not only did the pristine alpine location play a large role in contributing to their success, but also increased Kashmir’s popularity as a shooting location.

Everybody remembers the movie Betaab, where a brawny Sunny Deol wooed the damsel in distress, Amrita Singh. In fact, the movie and its location was such a hit with the audiences, that the valley, which was earlier known as Hagan Valley, was renamed Betaab Valley. Several scenes from another famous movie in 1973, Bobby, was shot in a hut, with the result it was renamed Bobby Hut.

The trend of shooting movies in Jammu and Kashmir continued well into the 1970’s and 1980’s too, with its splendid location and locales continuing to cast their magic spell on the audiences. But it was not just national, but also international filmmakers who were attracted to it. Two international movies, The Razor’s Edge in 1983, and The Climb in 1986, were shot in two different locations in Kashmir Valley.

Film tourism in Jammu and Kashmir

Film tourism in Jammu and Kashmir continued to appeal to filmmakers well into the 2000’s. Some of the famous movies shot during these years include Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Student of the Year, Rockstar, Lamha, Mission Kashmir and Shaurya, while Raazi, Aiyaary, Fitoor, Highway and Bajrangi Bhaijaan are among the movies shot between 2014 to 2020.

Popular Films Shot in Jammu and Kashmir

• Himalaya ki God Mein (1965)
• Janwar (1965)
• Haqeeqat (1964)
• Junglee (1961)
• Kashmir ki Kali (1964)
• Roti (1974)
• Bobby (1973)
• Kabhi Kabhi (1976)
• Karma (1986)
• Betaab (1983)
• Silsila (1981)
• Dil Se (1998)
• Henna (1981)
• Tango Charlie (2005)
• Samsara (2001)
• Shaurya (2008)
• Yahaan (2005)
• Mission Kashmir (2000)
• Lakshya (2004)
• Rockstar (2011)
• Student of the Year (2012)
• Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013)
• Highway (2014)
• Aiyaary (2018)
• Raazi (2018)
• Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015)
• Fitoor (2016)
• Haidar (2014)

Best Locations for Film Shooting in Jammu and Kashmir

Although the entire region of Jammu and Kashmir is blessed with breathtaking beauty, there are some places which stand out from the others, making them the best locations for film shooting in Jammu and Kashmir. Here are some of the places in Kashmir which have time and again attracted filmmakers:

• Sonmarg
• Doodhpathri
• Dal Lake
• Aru Valley
• Pahalgam
• Nishat Bagh
• Gulmarg