Kashmir Magazine By : Kashmir Magazine | Srinagar, Publish Date: Thursday, May 17, 2018 2:35:13 PM | Updated Date : Thursday, May 17, 2018 2:35:13 PM
Raja Akbar
Srinagar: Filmmakers are visiting Kashmir’s breathtaking locations in drove for the shooting schedule of the movies, serials and documentaries. After the completion of the shooting schedule of Abhishek Bachchan starrer bollywood film Manmarziyan, Salman Khan also shot in Kashmir and Ladakh for action thriller Race 3.
The shooting for both the films took place at picturesque spots at Sonamarg.
Manmarziyan, directed by Kashyap and presented by Aanand L. Rai, also stars Vicky Kaushal and Taapsee Pannu. Abhishek was joined by his co-star Taapsee Pan and both filmed many scenes of the film near the Thajiwas Glacier and Zojila.
Salman and the film’s team also chose the picturesque Sonamarg to shoot Remo D’Souza directorial Race 3.
Film director and producer Mahesh Bhatt is also visiting Kashmir for his next venture Jalebi which will feature a debutant actor at the forefront.
Another bollywood filmmaker will also be shooting here for popular family TV Serial Udaan for Color TV being produced under the production house of Gurudev Bhalla Productions.
The shooting of the serial will be held at Mughal Gardens, Shankarachariya road, Nagin Lake, Downtown besides popular destinations like Sonamarg, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Doodpathri and Yousmarg.
Mahesh Bhatt will be shooting at these locations till May 15, 2018.
Besides bollywood, the south Indian film industry are also visiting Kashmir this season to shoot for serials and movie songs.
Annupurna Studios Pvt. Ltd. is shooting for Telugu Serial Maddamandaram at different locations in Srinagar, Gulmarg and Sonamarg.
Director Tourism Kashmir Mahmood A Shah said filmmakers are returning back to Kashmir for their favorite backdrops which is a good sign for tourism.
"We are doing our bit to facilitate the filmmakers and attract them to Kashmir. Lot of positive news is going outside the world due to the shooting schedule of the celebrities from film industry," said Director Tourism Kashmir.
He said the social media posts of the places like Sonamarg and Srinagar with snow-capped mountains in the background by the likes of Salman Khan and Abishekh Bachan have generated lot of interest among the travellers to visit Kashmir.
"We have also given permission for the shooting of songs for Tamil films which will be shot in Srinagar. We are hopeful that the films will help us revive tourism in a big way," said Director Tourism.
Currently, BBC team is also in Kashmir making a special documentary on wild vegetables that grow naturally in Kashmir especially excellently edible and delicious Morels (Morchella) commonly called Guchchis - a super expensive variety of mushrooms found in the forests of Kashmir valley.
The BBC team is also accompanied by food writers and chefs to look out for these vegetables that will be showcased in special programs for food lovers.
Director Tourism Kashmir said not only bollywood but the other film and documentary makers have started visiting Kashmir to showcase the rich diversity of this place to the outside world.
"The BBC team visited Kupwara forests to shoot for wild vegetables that grow naturally here. They are making special story on wild morels which is a lucrative food item and sold at higher prices," he said.
Director Tourism Kashmir said the department wants to showcase all the aspects of the Kashmir Tourism to the outside world.
"We don't want to confine our tourism industry to only leisure tours but we need to diversify and cater to all tastes of the travelers."