​Sita Ramam', 'HIT 3', 'Sarileru Neekevvaru'; Telugu films shot in Kashmir

Over the years, the scenery of Kashmir has become a favourite backdrop for Telugu filmmakers. From intense military dramas to timeless love stories including films like 'Sita Ramam', 'HIT 3', 'Khushi' and more, the region's stunning beauty and cultural richness have added authenticity to several major productions. Here’s a look at notable Telugu films that were shot in Kashmir.

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The film, in the 1960s, revolves around Lieutenant Ram, an orphaned Indian Army officer posted at the Kashmir border, and his love story with Sita Mahalakshmi, a dance teacher and princess from Hyderabad. The period romantic drama directed by Hanu Raghavapudi had principal photography in Kashmir, with key locations including Srinagar’s Dal Lake, Jalali House, and Sonamarg’s Thajwass Glacier. The Kashmir schedule was completed by July 2021. The love story between Ram and Sita develops through letters and secret meetings, with Kashmir serving as a critical setting for key plot developments. Ram and Sita meet and spend time together in Kashmir, where military operations and covert missions unfold, deeply impacting their lives.

The upcoming action thriller starring Nani was partly shot in Pahalgam, Kashmir. Filming for 'HIT 3' began in September 2024, with major sequences shot across Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, and notably in the scenic region of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in Pahalgam. The crew spent nearly three weeks in Kashmir.

The story of the film is about Arjun investigating a series of brutal murders in Jammu and Kashmir, testing his skills and mental strength. The film is the third installment in the popular HIT franchise and features Srinidhi Shetty as the female lead. 'HIT 3' is scheduled for release on May 1, 2025.

'Sarileru Neekevvaru' directed by Anil Ravipudi, starring Mahesh Babu as Major Ajay Krishna, an Indian Army officer posted in Kashmir. The film’s plot begins with Ajay Krishna leading operations in Kashmir, where he is involved in a rescue mission during which one of his teammates is severely injured. Kashmir is depicted as the operational zone where Major Ajay Krishna and his team are stationed. The opening sequences involve intense military action and rescue operations in the region shownig the challenges faced by Indian soldiers. The film’s Kashmir portions were shot on location to authentically capture the military environment and the scenic beauty of the region. The shoot in Kashmir helped create a realistic backdrop for the army operations portrayed in the film.

Directed by Shiva Nirvana, the film is a romantic drama featuring Vijay Devarakonda and Samantha Ruth Prabhu. Principal photography began in April 2022, with the first shooting schedule taking place entirely in the Kashmir Valley, concluding in May 2022. Key shooting locations in Kashmir included Anantnag, Pampore railway station in Pulwama, Mamaleshwar Temple in Pahalgam, and the iconic Dal Lake in Srinagar.