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

Srinagar, May 10: With an aim of promoting tourism, Jammu and Kashmir government has set established a single window clearance system for granting permission for shooting Bollywood movies within seven days 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, leading to 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 (Sunny Deol's debut movie) 'Betaab' 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.

PTI