Kashmir through the lens of Bollywood: From land of timeless romance to epicenter of terror
Updated February 23, 2024, 8:46 PM IST
Kashmir’s breathtaking beauty has always fascinated Bollywood, serving as the backdrop for iconic love stories. Over time, the story shifted towards exploring sociopolitical tensions.
Kashmir through the lens of Bollywood: From land of timeless romance to epicenter of terror
Surrounded by breathtaking mountains and serene valleys, Kashmir has long captivated the imagination of Bollywood. From the melodious tones of the rippling Dal Lake to the snow-capped mountains that form a majestic backdrop, Kashmir has served as the quintessential setting for some of Bollywood’s most iconic love stories.
Dating back to the golden age of Hindi cinema, Kashmir’s beauty found cinematic expression in films such as The Jungle, and the surreal locale provided Shammi Kapoor with the perfect environment to woo his lover. became. The 1973 classic Bobby further cemented Kashmir’s status as the ultimate romantic destination. Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia’s on-screen romance amidst the pristine beauty of Gulmarg and Pahalgam has made viewers fall in love with the valley. In Kashmir Ki Kali, Shammi Kapoor’s charismatic charm and Sharmila Tagore’s dreamy beauty combined with the beautiful scenery of Kashmir created an unforgettable experience for the viewers.
Over time, the depiction of romance in Bollywood movies has evolved. Films like Silsila and Kabhi Kabhie delved deeper into the complexities of love against the backdrop of Kashmir’s timeless beauty. The snowy landscape served as a metaphor for the emotional turmoil and longing experienced by lovers. In the 1990s, Mani Ratnam’s Roja broke new ground by infusing romance with political intrigue against the backdrop of Kashmir’s insurgency.
But as real-world tensions escalate, Kashmir has transformed into a canvas for reflecting the socio-political turmoil plaguing the region. Films like “Mission Kashmir” and “Haider” portrayed the harsh realities of conflict and insurgency, offering a glimpse into the lives of Kashmiris in turmoil.
In recent years, the story of Kashmir in Bollywood cinema has taken a 180 degree turn. In 2018, Vicky Kaushal’s Uri depicted how India struck back with a surgical strike in Pakistan after a deadly terrorist attack in Uri. In 2022, Vivek Agnihotri’s The Kashmir Files, a reimagining of the 1990 Kashmiri Pandit exodus, was released. These two films completely changed the way Kashmir was portrayed in Bollywood films.
2024 so far, Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone fighters speak at length about 2019 Pulwama terror attack, Yami Gautam’s latest release Article 370 abrogates Jammu and Kashmir’s special status The events that led to this are revealed.
From the ultimate destination of romance to now the epicenter of complex stories revolving around terrorism and the longstanding conflict between India and Pakistan, the portrayal of Kashmir in Hindi films has taken an extreme turn. Ta. The current trend of Kashmir-related stories seems to be taking advantage of the current socio-political situation in the Valley as audiences flock to theaters in large numbers to witness a grand re-enactment of major events.
So far, this has proven to be a safe bet for Bollywood, but the question is how long audiences will be able to enjoy similarly themed films.
(Tag Translation) Article 370
