Travel Goals: Kashmir On Celluloid; Here's A List Of Bollywood Films That Captured The Ethereal Beauty Of Kashmir

The picturesque landscapes of Kashmir have been a favorite of many Bollywood filmmakers.

"Gar firdaus bar-rue zamin ast, hami asto, hamin asto, hamin ast". (If there is a heaven on Earth, it’s here, it’s here, it’s here) - said Mughal Emperor Jehangir when he visited Kashmir in the 17th century.

Well, it is impossible to express the majestic beauty of Kashmir in words. From the snow-capped mountains filled with lots of serenity to the pristine lakes with crystal-clear water to the verdant valleys that feel like poetry to the lush greenery symbolizing softness - Kashmir is blessed with nature's ethereal elegance that allures tourists from across the world.

It comes as no surprise that Kashmir has always been a favorite of Bollywood filmmakers. The Hindi film industry has time and again captured the raw beauty of Kashmir, making us fall in love with it. Also, several filmmakers have gone beyond Kashmir's natural beauty and explored its socio-political scene in their films.

As we are celebrating Tourism Week, let's have a look at some of those films in this article.

Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013)

Not many know that the trekking part in 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani' was filmed in Kashmir and not Manali. The snow-covered mountains that enthralled us were mostly captured in Pahalgam and Gulmarg. Besides, the shooting locations also include Aru Valley, Betab Valley, and Chandanwari among others.

It goes without saying that the Ayan Mukerji directorial coming-of-age drama film did full justice to Kashmir's phenomenal beauty.

Highway (2014)

'Highway' follows a young woman who gets kidnapped by a local gangster and goes on a journey of self-discovery along the way. Helmed by Imtiaz Ali, the film was shot in several parts of India, including Kashmir. It captured the green mountains in the Aru Valley which is popular for its breathtaking beauty.

Haider (2014)

'Haider', a brilliant adaptation of William Shakespeare's 'Hamlet', captured Kashmir in the most interesting way possible. The film is about a young man who returns to Kashmir seeking the truth about his father’s disappearance and gradually gets insane amid the state's violent insurgencies. Besides showcasing the enchanting natural beauty of Kashmir, the Vishal Bhardwaj directorial also explores its political scene and holds a mirror onto our faces.

The shooting locations here include Dal Lake, Nishat Bagh, Naseem Bagh, Martland Sun Temple, Sun Temple, and Sonmarg.

Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015)

Directed by Kabir Khan, the 2015 dama film 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' is considered a landmark in Salman Khan's career. The film was extensively shot in the valleys of Kashmir, showcasing its magical beauty like no other. The shooting locations include Sonmarg, Attari Wagah Borger, Mandawa Shekawati region, Zoji La, etc.

Fitoor (2016)

Abhishek Kapoor's 'Fitoor' tells an intense love story between Noor (Aditya Roy Kapur) and his Firdaus (Katrina Kaif), so, there couldn't be a better place than Kashmir for it. The film showcases the pristine waters of the Dal Lake, the red chinars, green meadows, and the snow-capped landscape. Several scenes of the film were shot in Nishat Bagh on the banks of Dal Lake.

Besides these films, the list also includes ‘Kashmir Ki Kali’ (1964), 'Silsila' (1981), 'Betaab' (1983), 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan' (2012), 'Student of the Year' (2012), 'Raazi' (2018), 'Phantom' (2015), 'Notebook' (2019), etc.