A lot has been said about the dreamy hillscapes and the gorgeous snow-laden peaks of Kashmir. The enchanting valleys of Jammu and Kashmir have not only attracted tourists for years but have also served as a prime location for many Bollywood movies. Jammu and Kashmir’s tryst with Bollywood movies has existed for several decades, so we decided to look back at a few recent Bollywood movies that were shot at locations in Kashmir!
Locations In Kashmir Where Iconic Movies Have Been Shot
Dal Lake – Notebook, Mission Kashmir, Jab Tak Hai Jaan, And Laila Majnu
If there is one iconic lake in Kashmir known for its breathtaking beauty, it has to be Dal Lake. The serene lake, known to freeze in the winters, is no less than a tourist haven. Colorfully decorated shikaras float in its waters, and not only do they house people, but are also used as floating markets!
The Dal Lake has been featured in plenty of romantic Bollywood movies, the likes of which include Notebook (2019), Laila Majnu (2018), and even Mission Kashmir (2000) and Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012). The famous Hindi song “Ye Chand Sa Roshan Chehra” from the film Kashmir Ki Kali (1964) was also shot here!
Gurez Valley – Raazi And Shikara
Gurez Valley is quite an underrated gem in Kashmir’s Bandipora district, especially amongst tourists. However, the lush green valley is known for its mesmerizing views, pristine rivers and streams, and quaint hamlets that will offer a glimpse into the local Kashmiri life. The Gurez Valley prohibits foreigners from visiting, so only Indians are allowed to visit it.
Despite that, the valley has been quite a favorite among Indian filmmakers. In fact, the Alia Bhatt-starrer Raazi (2018) and Shikara (2025) had a few scenes that were shot in this mesmerizing valley. If you’ve watched either of the two films, you must definitely mark Gurez Valley on your Kashmir itinerary.
Pahalgam – Haider, Highway, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Bajrangi Bhaijaan And Others
Pahalgam is located about 89 kilometers (km) from Srinagar and is a famous tourist destination in Kashmir. There are many filming locations in Kashmir, but Pahalgam remains a constant favorite as plenty of movies have been shot here over the years.
To begin with – Haider (2014), Laila Majnu, Highway (2014), Raazi, and Jab Tak Hai Jaan have been shot here. In fact, the friendship-drama Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013) had some scenes shot in Kashmir that were then shown to be from Manali.
The Salman Khan starrer Bajrangi Bhaijaan had plenty of scenes shot in Pahalgam – from the iconic Qawwali song to the emotional climax at the ‘India-Pakistan Border’. This scene was actually shot in Pahalgam’s Baisaran Valley and not the actual Indo-Pak Border!
Gulmarg – Phantom, Fanaa, Fitoor, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, And Others
Gulmarg is a popular tourist destination and is only about 51 km away from Srinagar. Located in the Pir Panjal Range of Western Himalayas, Gulmarg experiences delightful sunny summers as well bone-chilling snowfall in the winters. The hill station becomes a tourist haven during the winters as it known for its plenty of winter adventure activities like skiing and the famous Gulmarg Gondola.
It is not just famous amongst locals and tourists, but also among the film fraternity in India. This explains why the location has been featured in countless movies like Phantom (2015), Fanaa (2006), Fitoor (2016), Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, and Haider. Moreover, the recent song “Tum Kya Mile” from the movie Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023) was also shot in Gulmarg! Now, if that isn’t an excuse enough for you to visit Gulmarg, we don’t know what else is!
Nishat Bagh – Haider, Fitoor, And Laila Majnu
Srinagar has plenty of manicured gardens, and there’s no doubt about that. These gardens, called Mughal Gardens, have existed in the valley for decades and centuries and are known for being built in the traditional Mughal style. The Nishat Bagh is one such garden that is located close to the Dal Lake. In Urdu, Nishat Bagh translates to ‘Garden of Joy’ and if you visit the garden you would totally understand why it is called so!
Many Hindi films that had their story based in Kashmir were shot at the Nishat Bagh. These include movies like Haider, Fitoor, and Laila Majnu, all of which have also been extensively shot in Kashmir.
Plenty of movies and songs have been shot at other Mughal Gardens in Srinagar as well. These include the famous song “Kora Kaagaz Tha Yeh Man Mera” from the movie Aradhana (1969) as well as many scenes from the movie Kabhi Kabhie (1976) have been shot at these gardens. The gardens are known for their elegantly carved water fountains and meticulously manicured landscaping. If you are in Srinagar, we totally recommend visiting these gardens!
Other Locations
Besides the ones mentioned above, there are plenty of places where Bollywood movies have been shot. These are as follows:
- Aru Valley: Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Highway
- Sonmarg: Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Fitoor, Fanaa, Haider
- Srinagar: Student Of The Year, Fitoor, Haider, Laila Majnu
Summing Up
By now, you must have realized that Kashmir is a beloved filming location for Bollywood filmmakers. With its gorgeous valleys, snow-capped peaks, alpine meadows, and pristine streams, locations in Kashmir make it an irresistible canvas for filmmaking.
FAQs
Which Bollywood Movie Is Based In Kashmir?
There are plenty of movies based in Kashmir. These are as follows:
- Haider
- Fitoor
- Kashmir Ki Kali
Which Movie Was Shot In Pahalgam?
The following movies were shot in Pahalgam:
- Haider
- Highway
- Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
- Raazi
- Jab Tak Hai Jaan
Where Was Fitoor Shot?
Fitoor was extensively shot in entire Kashmir, however, many scenes were primarily shot in Srinagar.
