Bollywood might be known as the Hindi Film Industry, but it is a melting pot of amazing talent drawn from every corner of India. Even from the northernmost part of India, Jammu and Kashmir, stars have come and taken over the big screen. Leaving their snow-capped mountains and valleys, many have made their way to Mumbai, in the centre of Bollywood.
There are many actors and actresses who are household names and have a surprising heritage that is attached to the stories of the hills of Jammu and Kashmir. Though their regional identity is lesser-known among the masses, they have carried the beauty of the valley with their phenomenal performances on screen. So, here are all the Bollywood celebrities who have a shocking Jammu and Kashmir connection.
Kunal Kemmu belongs to a family of Kashmiri Pandits who were also actors
Bollywood actor and director, Kunal Kemmu is a Kashmiri Pandit who used to live with his family in Srinagar, Kashmir. Both his parents, Ravi Keemu and Jyoti Keemu were actors as well. Meanwhile, his grandfather, Moti Lal Khemu was a Sahitya Akademi awardee and a Padma Sri awardee for his contribution to Kashmiri literature as a playwright. Though Kunal had started his early education in his city Srinagar, the family had to move to Jammu and then to Mumbai due to the insurgency in the region.
Kunal Keemu has made a name for himself as a talented actor and director. He is also married to Soha Ali Khan, who is Saif Ali Khan’s sister and from the noble Patuadi family. The couple are known for respecting and practising each other’s culture. Kunal Keemu has also preserved his Kashmiri heritage and can be seen posting photos on Instagram celebrating Kashmiri Pandit festivals such as Herath and Navreh.
Hina Khan always goes back to her homeland, Kashmir, when she needs a break
Hina Khan is one of the most popular and highest-paid television actresses in India. She has also acted in a number of Punjabi and Hindi films. The star, before moving to Delhi during her college days, was born and brought up in Srinagar, Kashmir. Hina has candidly spoken about her childhood in the snow-capped hills of Srinagar many times.
Hina Khan has made her home in an apartment in Mumbai, but her heart still belongs to her home city. During her battle with breast cancer, the actress returned to Srinagar for a break. Hina posted photos of her serene vacation in Kashmir, where she enjoyed sitting by the Jhelum river, boat rides through the Dal Lake and eating her favourite Kashmiri cuisine.
Anupam Kher has been vocal about his identity as a Kashmiri Pandit
Veteran Bollywood actor, Anupam Kher was born in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. But his origins are in Kashmir since both his parents were Kashmiri Pandits, who then moved to Shimla. The actor has been vocal about his identity as a Kashmiri Pandit and his heritage. The actor has also shared many stories of his parents and their time in Kashmir during the insurgency.
Anupam Kher, who played an important character in The Kashmir Files, was influenced by his late father a lot for his role in the movie. The character was also named, ‘Pushkar Nath’ after his father’s real name, Pushkar Nath Kher. The actor said that he had paid tribute to his father through his role in the movie.
Mohit Raina is a Kashmiri Pandit from Jammu who started his career in modelling
Mohit Raina gained immense popularity through his performance on the Indian TV show, Devon Ke Dev…Mahadev. Before that, the actor had sought a career in modelling and moved to Mumbai. Originally, Mohit was born in Kashmir but was brought up in Jammu after the age of eight.
Mohit Raina’s debut in Uri: The Surgical Strike was immensely acclaimed. The actor revealed in an interview that his childhood in Kashmir helped him a lot in bringing depth to the character. Mohit has also expressed that though he does not miss the region, he still has a connection to the place since it had an impact on him and his upbringing. The actor has also revisited in interviews times of uncertainties and danger when his family used to live in the region till he was eight.
Shaheer Sheikh was called a ‘fake Kashmiri’ by Hina Khan
A beloved Indian TV show actor, Shaheer Sheikh, has made a name for himself in Bollywood as well. The actor made his film debut, starring opposite Kriti Sanon, in Do Patti. He was born in the Doda district of Kashmir but was raised in Jammu for the most part. Hence, Shaheer isn’t well-versed in the local culture of the particular region.
While shooting a song together in Kashmir, Hina Khan and Shaheer Sheikh bonded over their birthplace. But the actress called Shaheer a ‘fake Kashmiri’ as a joke since he had not heard many popular Kashmiri songs. The actor also had positive experiences when he visited the valley after years, to shoot the song.
Manav Kaul has written books talking about the displacement of his family from Kashmir
Actor and writer, Manav Kaul was born in Baramulla, Kashmir. But he was raised in Madhya Pradesh, where his parents moved away. The actor identifies as a Kashmiri Pandit and has expressed his deep connection to the region. He has also written books about the crucial time that his family lived through, during the exodus.
Manav Kaul is an exceptional actor, and he is also a soulful writer. His books, Rooh and A Bird On My Windowsill, which explore how he was displaced from his homeland and has tried to reconnect with his roots, have resonated with many. The actor’s writing is heavily influenced by the loss of his homeland, which he often expresses in his books.
What are your thoughts on Bollywood actors and actresses who have a surprising connection to Jammu and Kashmir?
Also Read: Anupam Kher Shares The Last Photo Of His Father, Says, ‘He Longed To Go To Kashmir But Could Not’