Autumn charm brings Kashmir back to Bollywood frame
Major productions shoot across Baramulla, Aharbal & Srinagar; officials say Valley poised for a cinematic revival
Srinagar: After months of lull, Kashmir is once again echoing with the bustle of film crews, camera tracks and spot boys calling “ready, rolling.” The Valley — long cherished by filmmakers — witnessed a renewed surge of Bollywood and South-Indian shoots through October and November 2025, marking what officials describe as “the strongest cinematic comeback in years.”
One of the most high-profile returns is actor Imran Khan, who arrived in Srinagar to shoot his upcoming Netflix film Adhure Hum Adhure Tum. The unit shot across Dal Lake, old Srinagar streets and autumnal gardens, drawing crowds and reviving memories of Kashmir’s golden era of filmmaking.
At the same time, Baramulla hosted one of the year’s toughest productions — a supernatural thriller directed by National Award-winner Aditya Suhas Jambhale. The director revealed that extreme cold pushed crew members into hypothermia and forced several actors to initially refuse the project due to its sensitivity. “Every day, 5 to 6 crew members would be absent. But the script demanded Kashmir, and we refused to compromise,” Jambhale said.
South Kashmir, too, saw a major highlight when Yash Raj Films shot sequences of their spy thriller Alpha at the majestic Aharbal Waterfall. The line-producer described the location as “mesmerising, with a natural drama that no CGI can recreate,” adding that the crew plans to return for another schedule.
North Kashmir witnessed a first — a South-Indian film crew shooting near Wular Lake in Bandipora. The director said he was “in awe of the beauty and calmness,” calling the experience “an honour.”
Officials from the J&K Film Facilitation Office say the steady stream of productions in October and November signals a shift in industry confidence. “Kashmir is back on the filmmaker’s map. We processed more shooting permissions in the last two months than in the entire first half of the year,” said a senior official overseeing film permissions.
Veteran actor Suniel Shetty, who recently spoke about Kashmir’s return to the cinematic spotlight, expressed similar optimism. “The shooting will happen 100 percent… Kashmir will regain its lost glory,” he said during a media interaction.
Local hospitality and transport businesses — many of which rely on tourist inflow — say film shoots offer an additional economic boost. “When a big production comes, hundreds of locals get work. It’s not just movies; it’s livelihood,” said Riyaz Ahmad, a tour operator in Srinagar.
As winter sets in and film units wrap up their autumn schedules, officials believe the October–November momentum will carry into 2026. If the trend continues, the Valley may soon script a full-fledged revival — one frame at a time.
