Film Shooting Locations in Jammu and Kashmir
Film Shooting Locations in Jammu and Kashmir: Have you ever felt a desire to discover a world where mountains embrace the heavens, valleys are steadily green and dense, and lakes are mirrored with a palette pleasant for changing? This is not something out of a fairy tale but the beauty of Jammu and Kashmir – phases of this place that have been inspiring moviemakers for a long time.
From the cheerful Indian musical to the calm arty pictures, the splendid views of Jammu and Kashmir have been shooting setters for motion pictures. Let the magical journey begin as we discover the Film Shooting Locations in Jammu and Kashmir that mesmerise the filmmakers, artists and audiences.
List of Popular Bollywood Movies Shot in the Valley of Kashmir
| Haqeeqat (1964) | Student of the Year (2012) |
| Himalaya ki God Mein (1965) | Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013) |
| Karma (1986) | Highway (2014) |
| Mission Kashmir (2000) | Haidar (2014) |
| Tango Charlie (2005) | Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015) |
| 3 Idiots (2009) | Raazi (2018) |
| Rockstar (2011) | Notebook (2019) |
Best Locations For Shooting Movies in Jammu and Kashmir
While there is great scenic beauty all over the Jammu and Kashmir region, certain areas are even more popular and are the most suitable places to shoot in Jammu and Kashmir. Here are some of the best Film Shooting Locations in Jammu and Kashmir that have drawn filmmakers there time and time again:
Srinagar: The Heartbeat of Kashmir
Srinagar, the summer capital of the Jammu and Kashmir state, is conventionally associated with its breathtaking shire lakes, and most of all the Dal Lake and its neighbour – the Nigeen Lake. The lake and its magnificent view are complemented by the old and authentic Shikaras, and houseboats that have been painted traditionally, bringing some of the intimate scenes created in many Bollywood movies. Old popular Bollywood movies like “Kashmir Ki Kali” and “Mission Kashmir” have captured the beauty of Dal Lake and have made it eternal.
Mughal Gardens
Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh and Chashme Shai are some of the beautiful examples of Mughal gardens in Srinagar. These gardens with their terraced lawns, stunning fountains and a riot of colours have been the perfect setting in movies such as “Kabhi Kabhi” and ‘Yeh Jawani Hai Diwani’.
Gulmarg: The Meadow of Flowers
Gulmarg which is famous for snow-clad hills and lush green slopes is always a favourite shooting location of film directors, whatever the season. During winter, the white scenery that is created by snowfall provides the best backdrop for the depiction of the winter season as seen in movies like Jab Tak Hai Jaan and Haider.
Through flowing river Nile and green vegetation, the area is very beautiful during summer especially when taking romantic or dramatic scenes. The fastest and highest cable car in the world, the Gulmarg gondola, offers even movie directors breathtaking pictures popular for day-and-night movies.
Pahalgam: A Tranquil Retreat
In the vast area of Film Shooting Locations in Jammu and Kashmir, Pahalgam known as ‘The Valley of Shepherds’ is another best place for shooting films. The covering beauty of the Lidder River, rich forests and beautiful meadows are the special attractions of this place where the shooting of the film “Betaab” was initialized and the valley of this film is also known as Betaab.
Thus, the Aru and Baisaran valleys of Pahalgam are also quite famous as tourists visit here to enjoy the blank canvas of natural beauty that has not been commercialized yet and truly depicts the real beauty of Kashmir.
Sonamarg: The Golden Meadow
Sonamarg, the valley surrounded by snow-clad mountains, serene glacier-fed rivers and lush greenery is comparatively an unexplored trek that has attracted visitors in recent times. Some of the Bollywood movies like “Bajrangi Bhaijaan” and “Highway” give the visitors an exquisite glimpse of Sonamarg’s scenic beauty. Thajiwas Glacier is an easy trekking area, but with all the ice and the snow, it perfectly fits as a Top Film-Making Location in Jammu and Kashmir for dramatic and adventurous scenes.
Leh-Ladakh: The Rugged Wilderness
Even though it has become a part of the newly created Union Territory of Ladakh, Leh-Ladakh has been traditionally viewed as part of Jammu and Kashmir state. The mountains and the terrain of the regions of Leh-Ladakh are barren and rocky and consist of vast mountain ranges and old monasteries which are in contrast to the colourful valleys of Kashmir. Mung shows that films like “3 Idiots” and ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’’ have made good use of the natural landscape of Pangong Lake, Monastery of Hemis and Thiksey while shooting.
Jammu: The City of Temples
Jammu is also known for its culture, temples, and other religious places that offer a different taste of beauty. Bahu Fort, Raghunath Temple, and the beautiful Baglihar Dam have been captured in some films of the Jammu and Kashmir region and some serials.
The terrain of Jammu is quite diverse, it has been referred to as the land of hills, valleys and lakes; therefore it can be used for many different shots and scenes, which may require a historical or natural background.
Patnitop: A Hill Station Haven
Another Top Film-Making Location in Jammu and Kashmir is much lesser known than Pahalgam and Gulmarg but equally beautiful to shoot is Patnitop, a hill station in the Udhampur district of this state. Also shot in Patnitop is another Pahadian film where lush forests and vast expansive views of the Shivalik range make it perfect for shooting intimate scenes and deep-rooted narratives. It is used in regional productions and is only starting to draw the attention of filmmakers at the national level.
