Srinagar, Aug 27:  Ending speculations about his visit to Kashmir, Bollywood’s uncrowned king Shah Rukh Khan finally arrived in the summer Capital Monday to shoot for Yash Raj Chopra’s upcoming but yet untitled movie.
 King Khan arrived at Srinagar International Airport this morning amid tight security cover. And within moments of his landing he flew to the hill resort of Pahalgam in south Kashmir to join the film crew including filmmaker Yash Raj Chopra and Anuskha Sharma.
 The security arrangements were so stringent at the airport that the superstar unlike many other high profile guests was not even made to wait at the plush VIP arrival lounge but he walked the tarmac straight to board a helicopter –waiting to take him for flight ahead.
 In Pahalgam, the superstar was seen in action within hour of his arrival to shoot for the untitled project which marks filmmaker Yash Chopra’s return to Kashmir after a gap of three decades.
 SRK is expected to shoot for eight to ten days in the Valley, a source privy to the Chopras said.
 SRK presumably plays an Army bomb disposal expert Samar in the film, also starring Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma. The film is scheduled for a Diwali release on November 13.
 “Dark clouds, wet roads, too early for even life to feel alive…but I am on my way to make movies. A cigarette and coffee as co-travellers,” wrote Khan, on the micro-blogging website Twitter, as he reached Pahalgam.
 Wearing black dress and army boots, Khan shot all day at Aru area in upper reaches of Pahalgam.
 Locals said that strict security arrangements were put in place and nobody was allowed to proceed towards the shooting site.
 Khan’s presence in Pahalgam revived memories of ‘70s when Rajesh Khanna’s blockbuster ‘Roti’ put a spotlight, for the first time, on the destination - famous for its fast-flowing river Lidder river, pristine mountains dotted with pine trees and breathtaking meadows.
 “Shah Rukh Khan’s visit to the Valley will go a long way in reviving the romance of Bollywood with Kashmir and give tourism sector a  boost,” said Ibrahim Raina, an owner of Brown Palace hotel in Pahalgam.
 Prominent tour operator Nazir Ahmed Bakshi, who runs Srinagar based Shiraz Travels is understood to be making arrangements for the big shoot alongwith his son. 
 Bakshi has been a long time friend of the Bollywoood celebrities and has hosted stars like Rajesh Khanna, Amaitabh Bachan and Shami Kapoor in the yesteryears.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 27 Aug 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 27 Aug 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 28 Aug 2012 00:00:00 IST