Kashmir, the paradise on earth, has
always enthralled artists with its unparalleled beauty, rich heritage and
political upheavals. Kashmir has inspired filmmakers to portray the valley, its
people, their culture, the socio-political scenario and the struggle for
existence. Whether using the scenic appeal of the landscape or narrating the turbulence
in the land torn between terrorism and patriotism, Kashmir has never stopped influencing
the Bollywood storyline.
There are scores of Bollywood films,
which represent Kashmir in the truest sense, through their immaculate cinematography and
griping scripts. We pick up the ones that still remain etched in our hearts.
1.
Kashmir Ki Kali (1964)
A Bollywood epic of the golden era
starring evergreen Shammi Kapoor and beautiful Sharmila Tagore in a tale of
love, secrets, betrayal and triumph of good over evil. As the name suggests,
Sharmila portraying an innocent flower girl from the valley, has done justice
to the role with her virgin looks and acting. Her character has brought up the
life of flower girls in the valley, their day-to-day living on the boats rowing
through the lakes. The director has beautifully filmed the maiden valley
covered in a bed of flowers with its snow-clad mountains under a canopy of the
clear sky. This movie upholds the scenic beauty of Kashmir from every aspect
including houseboats, traditional dresses and customs.
2.
Jab Jab Phool Khile (1965)
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This one is again a Bollywood lovey-dovey
tale of a rich girl-poor guy with a villainous father to intervene. Featuring
the charming Shashi Kapoor as a down to earth Kashmiri boatman and Nanda as a rich
belle, this movie is set in the backdrop of Kashmir like a picture postcard.
The visually appealing movie with picturesque songs and high emotional drama
truly brings out the melodramatic effect of Kashmir along with its romantic
traits.
3.
Roja (1992)
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Based on a time of utter mayhem in
Kashmir, this hard core commercial flick has brought out the real picture of
the land without taking sides or pinpointing at any group or clan. The second
half of this Arvind Swamy-Madhu starrer otherwise romantic film was shot
completely in Kashmir and the director did a great job in choosing to show a
controversial issue in a subtle frame. Indian
audience got a first glimpse of terror-torn Kashmir far away from the scenic picture
they had in mind. Roja successfully triggered the human emotion and prepared a
foundation for the audience to accept such topics in the mainstream cinema. The
military angle also added to the mass effect of the movie.
4.
Dil Se (1998)
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Shahrukh Khan-Manish Koirala and the
entire team of the movie aptly carried forward the trend that started with Roja
where Kashmir became more a political subject rather than just a beautiful
location for movies. The contrast between the pristine beauty and the violent
upsurge in the state was effectively portrayed through an unrequited love
story. Among many other themes in the movie, the most prominent was the
depiction of patriotism in the restive state of the valley which was perfectly
rendered with gripping shots and alluring music. Dil Se leaves a mark as one of
the best films on the valley.
5.
Yahaan (2005)
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Though the movie did not fare well commercially,
this is one of the best flicks on Kashmir from a debutant director. Jimmy
Shergill as an army man in love with a Kashmiri girl, Minisha Lamba with an
insurgent brother is a sensitive love story set in the valley. The extensive scenes
of armed forces and capturing their reactions in the terror environment of
Kashmir appeal to both our emotional and national self. The movie depicts the ever tense situation in
Kashmir through the eyes of the main protagonists torn between duty and love.
While Kashmir is still a hotspot for
Indian movies, we can’t ignore what the people of Kashmir are going
through. The floods of 2014 have hit them hard, and many people have lost their
homes and jobs. But it doesn’t have to stay that way; we can help them get back
on their feet. Join uIndia’s ‘We are there for you, Kashmir’ campaign to support Kashmiri farmers and artisans
by buying their products. With everyone’s support, we can help restore peace
and happiness in this beautiful state, so that it continues to be our very own
paradise on earth.
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