Sharmila Tagore recalls the everlasting memories and experiences of working in and visiting Kashmir. The veteran actress speaks about shooting various films and visiting popular locales in a state that has long been considered paradise on Earth and was a firm favourite for filmmakers and tourists alike. Read on:
‘Our films brought Kashmir to the doorsteps of the rest of the country’
My very first Hindi film was shot in Kashmir. In fact the film was ‘Kashmir Ki Kali’ (1964). I look back at the first day’s shooting with so much nostalgia. The location was Nehru Park and Dal Lake. What a beautiful lake it was then, huge and brimming with water. I was rowing a shikara, wearing a beautiful, ‘Phiran’, and Kashmiri silver jewellery, singing Diwana Hua Badal. I was a little nervous as I was first time lip synching. I remember vividly that Asha Bhonsle and OP Nayyar were also there and once I finished the shot for the antara of the song, Ashaji came and embraced me and said, “Well done and I am so happy.” That was so encouraging.
Staying at the Palace Hotel was such a treat. It was not just ours, many films were being shot simultaneously and many actors, directors, producers were staying there. There were shooting galore in Kashmir and in those days the Palace Hotel was always booked with crew of several other films. I met Asha Parekhji there for the first time. Kareena’s maternal grandfather (Hari Shivdasani) was there too. He used to play with the tennis star, Naresh Kumar, whom I met there with his wife Sunita. That friendship has only grown over the years. The common area of The Palace Hotel used to reverberate with animated activities and conversations. I remember a photograph of our unit relaxing in the lawn of the hotel, had made it to the cover of Filmfare. A certain lady belonging to an eminent business house was seen chatting with Shammiji. It is said that particular issue of Filmfare was completely bought out by the family. Apparently, being seen with film personalities was not done or at least that was the thought at that time.
We shot in Gulmarg, Pahelgaon, Sheshnag on Baramullahroad and even Shopian. There we shot the final dance sequence between Shammiji and I. Everything was beautiful and serene. We now read about these places in the newspapers but back then our films brought Kashmir to the doorsteps of the rest of the country. Our films have given so much visibility to Kashmir but we didn’t give enough visibility to the Kashmiris or to Kashmiriyat.
Subsequently, I have been to Kashmir with ‘Aamne Samne’, ‘Talash’, ‘Mausam’ and many more films. In fact every April / May and September / October was spent in Kashmir. Even Tiger and I shot our advertisement for Gwalior Rayon there.
I love Kashmir. I love everything it has to offer. Its carpets, shawls, paper mache, wooden artefacts, zafraan and khubaanis. I remember during my earlier visits, we used to wear cherries in our ears as earrings. I used to bring back Honey suckles and other exotic flowers from my trips to Kashmir.
‘We could see a change in the relationship between the tourists, the security and Kashmir’
In the early 1980s my trips to Kashmir became infrequent and finally stopped. Some years ago my husband and I were invited to Kashmir as the Chief Minister’s guests. We were taken aback by the omnipresent security and police presence. We were told that Gulmarg is safe and we would go by helicopter but Tiger was absolutely against leaving Srinagar. We could see a change in the relationship between the tourists, the security and Kashmir. We could not move as freely as we could in the 1960s and 70s and we were constantly escorted by security personnel. But despite the challenges of the Kashmiris and the uncertainties that prevail there, Kashmir is Kashmir – the most beautiful place I have seen and I will always cherish my memories.
Lush trees, traditionally built wooden houses, compliment the landscape
Only recently, about 3 years ago, I went back to Kashmir with a friend. I had almost forgotten how beautiful the place was. It took my breath away. Sadly, The Palace Hotel had lost its former grandeur- in fact it was pretty run down. We stayed at the Taj. It had a glorious view but the Dal Lake made me sad. It was but a poor shadow of its glorious past. We travelled extensively to Pahalgaon, Gulmarg-Betaab valley and where ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ was shot. Road after road, valley after valley it was sublime. Lush trees, traditionally built wooden houses, compliment the landscape. We saw the CRPF, the Army and the police at regular intervals. It was the time of Amarnath Yatra and I actually rode an ATV to the hilltop in Gulmarg. It was both unnerving and exhilarating driving that machine uphill. We were invited by the former Governor, NN Vohra and his wife, Ushaji to their house for tea. How splendid his garden looked blooming with seasonal valley flowers. He promised to show us a good time in Dachigam National Park. That promise is yet to be fulfilled and I keenly look forward to it.
