GANDERBAL — Superstar Shah Rukh Khan is in Kashmir to shoot his upcoming movie ‘Dunki’. The actor arrived at a hotel in Sonamarg on Monday night along with actor Taapsee Pannu and will be shooting at the location for a few days.
Officials said prior security arrangements were done. A huge crowd of Shah Rukh Khan’s fans have arrived on the spot.
The shooting, an official said, will proceed for four days in the valley – first in Sonamarg and then in the Dal Lake Srinagar. The movie is directed by Rajkumar Hirani.
A tourist, Aakash, from Delhi told the news agency KNO that it is an “extremely joyous moment” for him to witness the scenic view of Sonamarg, and Khan’s arrival “added to my joy”.
Another tourist said that through movies and video songs, people from outside Kashmir come to know about the beautiful places in Kashmir and they come here to explore the valley.
Abdul Rasheed, a local from Sonamarg, said that their livelihood depends on tourism and the shooting of movies helps them earn a bit more. “The movie shootings boost tourism, transport, hotel, food and many other sectors, thus boosting the economy,” he said.
Till the late 1980s, Bollywood and Kashmir were linked together but due to unfavourable conditions since 1989, very few filmmakers came here. However, for the past few years, the J&K administration has been making all-out efforts to bring the film industry back to Kashmir, saying the situation is favourable now.
