Juhi Chawla, Manisha snapped in Kashmir

Image: Manisha Koirala and Juhi Chawla share a laugh with the crew
Photographs: Mukhtar Ahmad Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar

The banks of the river Jhelum in Jammu and Kashmir's beautiful capital Srinagar hummed with unusual activity when a Bollywood film crew descended there for an outdoor shoot. Starring Juhi Chawla and Manisha Koirala, the short film Megha is directed by Onir (of My Brother... Nikhil fame).

Juhi Chawla, Manisha snapped in Kashmir

Image: Sanjay Suri, Manisha Koirala and Juhi Chawla

Ironically, the locale is not the famous Mughal garden. Instead, it is a park in an enclosed plot on the banks of the Jhelum.

The park had come up three years ago as part of the beautification of the river, with houseboats lining the shore.

Juhi Chawla, Manisha snapped in Kashmir

Image: Juhi Chawla checks her make-up

The film depicts the story of a Kashmiri Pandit woman, who returns to her homeland after 20 years. It also stars Sanjay Suri.

Juhi Chawla, Manisha snapped in Kashmir

Image: Manisha Koirala and Juhi Chawla

The unit turned up at the location with security forces providing them with ample protection during the shoot.

Juhi Chawla, Manisha snapped in Kashmir

Image: The locals watch the film shoot

Many locals gathered at the location to see the glamorous actresses, a rarity these days in contrast to the pre-militancy years.

Bollywood has been slowly returning to breath-taking Kashmir after many years, with normalcy making its way back to the state.

Juhi Chawla, Manisha snapped in Kashmir

Image: Juhi Chawla gets ready for a shot

Kashmir was a dream location for Bollywood but the two-decade long violence in the state made the film industry turn to Europe and America.

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