Permission for shooting movies in Kashmir Valley to be given in 7 days

Srinagar: With an aim to promote tourism, Jammu and Kashmir government has set up a single window clearance system for granting permission within seven days for shooting Bollywood movies in the Valley.

"We have established a single window clearance system for film shoots in Kashmir. These permissions will be granted within seven days of application," Commissioner Secretary Tourism in Jammu and Kashmir government Shailendra Kumar told PTI.

Kashmir was a favourite outdoor shooting destination for Bollywood movies before the eruption of militancy in 1990. The Valley is again finding favour with the producers as legendary Yash Chopra's last directorial venture starring Shah Rukh Khan 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan' was extensively shot in Kashmir.

Critically-acclaimed 'Haider' -- Vishal Bhardwaj's adaption of Shakespeare's Hamlet -- was entirely shot in Kashmir, following Salman Khan-starrer 'Bhajrangi Bhaijaan' having an extended shoot in the valley.

Kumar said more and more Bollywood movies are being shot in the state, especially Kashmir, which will go a long way in promoting tourism.

"Pahalgam was famous even before 'Betaab' (Sunny Deol's debut movie) was shot there but the tourists would only go to a particular point.

After the movie, we created Betaab Valley and tourists want to visit it," he said. More