Bollywood has long shared a deep and cherished relationship with Kashmir, but in recent years, the South Indian film industry has also been increasingly drawn to the valley’s breathtaking landscapes. From Telugu to Kannada and Malayalam cinema, filmmakers are now beelining to Kashmir, bringing a fresh wave of cinematic energy to the region.
On November 25, a Kannada film crew, including its director and lead actors, rolled cameras on Dal Lake for their latest project.
Sharing details with the media, director A R Vikhyath expressed delight at shooting in Srinagar. “We waited six months to come and shoot here. We feel very safe, and it’s wonderful working in Kashmir as everyone is so supportive,” he said.
Earlier, on November 4, a Telugu film crew shot at the scenic Pahalgam resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, marking a renewed sense of confidence among filmmakers and tourism stakeholders. The resumption of film projects is being widely seen as a symbol of stability and optimism in the region.
The comedy film, directed by Vimal Krishna, known for works like ‘Jessie’ and ‘Ladies & Gentleman’, captured the charm of Pahalgam’s pristine environs. Crew members praised Kashmir’s natural beauty and warm hospitality, calling the valley “one of the most breathtaking filming destinations in India.”
In March 2025, Telugu actor Gopichand filmed sequences of his yet-untitled project in Sonamarg.
Earlier that month, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced a series of initiatives aimed at boosting tourism, strengthening the economy, and upgrading infrastructure with a special focus on attracting filmmakers from South India. He noted that while Kashmir had traditionally been a favourite for Bollywood, engagement from southern film industries had remained limited.
The shift, however, began earlier. In April 2022, South Indian actress Priyamani’s team shot in the remote meadows of Doodhpathri in Budgam with newcomers Kiara and Sonal.
In May 2022, popular Telugu comedian Ali Basha filmed a song sequence in Kashmir and urged more filmmakers from the South to rediscover “the enchanting valley” for their shoots.
Stars like Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Vijay Deverakonda also shot major portions of their 2022 film Khushi across Srinagar, Pahalgam, Sonamarg and other locations.
In January 2021, Telugu actors Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas and Nabha Natesh shot in the region, followed by Kannada superstar Puneeth Rajkumar, who filmed for James in February 2021.
“The shooting experience for James with Puneeth Rajkumar was exhilarating, and we loved working in Kashmir,” director Chethan Kumar was quoted as saying by a local associate who handles film crews in the valley.
Kannada actor Rakshit Shetty shot for 777 Charlie in November 2020, while Malayalam film Janeman was filmed across Kashmir in December 2019.
Renowned cinematographer and filmmaker Ravi Varman, who shot portions of Kaatru Veliyidai in Kashmir, once remarked, “Kashmir is one of the most beautiful places in our country. Kashmiris are very friendly, and they resemble South Indians a lot.”
Mohammad Abdullah Lone, line producer at Firdous-e-Kashmir Productions, who has managed numerous film shoots for South Indian crews, told Rising Kashmir that the interest continues to grow.
“We have handled many South industry shoots in the past, and we keep receiving more queries,” he said. “We try our best to facilitate them and make them feel comfortable here.”
