Aamir Khan’s brief visit to Kashmir after over a decade reminded the Valley of the iconic association that Bollywood once had with its natural ambience. Wearing a red jacket and blue jeans, the actor enjoyed a shikara ride on the Dal lake here today.
The Bollywood star had been camping here since yesterday in connection with the shooting of a promotion campaign for his “Incredible India” brand. He had visited a remote village near Kangan, 40 km from here, in Ganderbal district yesterday to shoot for the campaign.
Aamir Khan arrived in the Valley yesterday and returned after a night stay at a local hotel overlooking the lake.
Impressed with the natural beauty of Kashmir, Aamir Khan hoped that Bollywood would have the same association with Kashmir as it had five decades ago, when most of the romantic scenes and film songs were shot here.
Kashmir now offers more spots like the scenic Tulip Garden overlooking the Dal lake, which has attracted some filmmakers during the past few years.
Aamir recalled his uncle-filmmaker Nasir Hussain’s fascination for shooting films in the scenic environs of the Valley.
Aamir had visited the state earlier for the shooting his popular film “3 Idiots” in the Leh area of Ladakh region. However, Aamir could not visit the Valley then.
The shooting for “3 Idiots” in Ladakh had spurred the popularity of the region among tourists, most of whom subsequently visited the Ladakh region.
Aamir Khan had earlier visited Kashmir in 1999 when he along with co-star Manisha Koirala had shot for “Mann”, directed by Inder Kumar, director Rattan Irani’s brother.
After the eruption of militancy early in 1990s, Rattan was the first one to venture into the Kashmir valley in 1998 to shoot “Meray Apnay” in Gulmarg.
