Why Omar Abdullah isn't happy with Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani

Ayan Mukerji’s Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani seems to have found more that it’s expected share of critics. While several movie-goers came back grumbling about how the film fell short of their expectations, now the Karan Johar-produced film seems to have miffed Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah too.  Reason? The director passes off the vast, stunning, snowy tracts of Kashmir as Manali!

Manali (or like we now know, Kashmir!) forms an integral part of the film’s plot. The lead pair of Ranbir and Katrina meet and bond during a trek to Manali. The film, understandably, shows beautiful swathes of snowy meadows, cliffs and mountains where the characters of the film frolic.

According to Abdullah, who had graciously welcomed the filmmakers to shoot in J&K, the picturesque locations show in the film are actually Gulmarg where as the film says its Manali! Therefore the film does no great favour for the Kashmir tourism industry.

Worse is, the film has a tie-up with travel organisers www.makemytrip.com who seemed to have no problem with Kashmir being passed off as Manali. And there

A visibly disturbed Omar Abdullah lashed out at the film on Twitter saying: “It’s irritating when we roll out the red carpet & facilitate the shoot only to have people believe its Manali. Artistic Licence #YJHD ”.

He also added:

Those of you planning to visit Manali because of what you saw in #YJHD you should know except for the Temple & Span resort it's ALL Gulmarg.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) June 1, 2013

He asked is the filmmakers have at least mentioned Kashmir in the credits. “If anyone has seen the movie can you tell me whether they have at least mentioned the state in the credits (opening or closing) #YJHD ?”

Looks like next time KJo has to shoot one of Bollywood’s famous song-and-dance in the snow, he’ll have to look beyond Kashmir!