Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar Apr 24: As the foreign countries like United States, United Kingdom and Europe have been overused by Bollywood, Kashmir is becoming number one destination for the film shoots the Bollywood choreographer Saroj Khan said here today.
Saroj Khan, while choreographing the film Kash Tum Hote in Tulip Garden, Srinagar today, said that it is because of the security situation in Kashmir that forced the Bollywood to move towards United States, Europe and United Kingdom for film shoots.
Mesmerized with the beauty of Kashmir, Khan said “even if we put together four Europe’s, we can’t get the variety and location that we get for film shoots in Kashmir”.
She said that now the doors of Kashmir have opened and more film units will return to Kashmir. She said that film units were going out for the green backgrounds but these types of valleys, flowers and beauty is out of question. “Kashmir was always in our dreams”, she added
She said that she was just 11 years of age when she came to Kashmir neither as dance director nor choreographer but group dancer. She said that she did open dance for the first time in film Kanaya that was shot here with Raj Kapoor and Nutan as lead characters.
“Ruk Ja O Jane Wale Ruk Ja was the song and from here our connection with Kashmir began”, Khan said, adding during those days every second film was being shot here.
She said that such was love of Shammi Kapoor and Dharminder for Kashmir that they used to stay here for six months and used to call film units one by one. She said that she has lot of sweet and unforgettable memories of Kashmir.
Khan said that Kashmir has changed a lot over the decades as natural beauty has faded away. She advised Kashmiris not to go for concrete structures as they are ruining this place.
She said that Bollywood has over used Europe and other foreign countries and there is no excitement left in them now, adding that Kashmir is Number one destination for film shoots.
Film Kash Tum Hote was shot in Gulmarg and for last two days it was shot in Tulip garden with tourists and weather playing spoilsport. They are moving to Sonmarg after finishing their shoot in Tulip garden.
The film is being directed by Israr Ahmad with Priyanka Kapoor as its producer and actress and Mukesh Bharti as the main actor. Both the actor and actress are making their debut.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Mohibul Haque, a politician turned film maker from Assam is currently shooting in the Valley his second film 18.11 – A code of Secrecy. His first and only Assamese film Juman-Suman (2003) has won the best film award in 2004. His present film is in Hindi.
Fascinated by the beauty of Kashmir, and pleased with the kindness and generosity of Kashmiris, the film maker said apart from the natural beauty God has given to this land, its people are laudable for their exemplary hospitability.
In the meantime, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan who watched the trailers of Qasam Se Qasam Se, is eager to shoot in Kashmir. Salman was so impressed with the beauty of Kashmir that he has told his brother Arbaaz Khan that the second schedule of Dabangg 2 should be shot in Kashmir.
Amir Khan shot for incredible India early this year in Kashmir and showed his eagerness to shoot in Kashmir.