Don't cancel your Kashmir trips: Actor Atul Kulkarni urges intending visitors

Srinagar, Apr 27: Acclaimed actor Atul Kulkarni visited the scenic tourist destination of Pahalgam on Sunday, sharing striking images from his journey on social media platform X and making an impassioned plea for tourists from mainland India to return to Kashmir. His visit comes at a critical time when the region's tourism industry is struggling to recover from the devastating impact of the April 22 terrorist attack.

"Chailian ji Kashmir chalain; Sindhu, Jhelum kinare chalain" (Let's go to Kashmir, my friend, let's walk along the banks of the Sindhu and Jhelum rivers), wrote Kulkarni in his heartfelt post. The "Bandish Bandits" star also shared poignant photographs from his flight, revealing rows of empty seats—a visual testament to the current reluctance of travellers to visit the region.

During interactions with local media, Kulkarni emphasised the cultural and emotional significance of maintaining connections with Kashmir. "We will have to take care of Kashmir and Kashmiriyat," he stated firmly, urging potential visitors not to cancel their travel plans. "Tourism is not only about the economy, it connects people," the actor explained, highlighting the deeper social impact of travel beyond its economic benefits.

The tourism sector in Kashmir has experienced an alarming downturn following the April 22 terrorist attack, which claimed 26 lives, with the majority being tourists from outside the region. The aftermath has seen visitors actively avoiding Kashmir, with Pahalgam particularly affected. Local tour operators have reported a staggering 90 percent cancellation rate in bookings, delivering a crippling blow to the region's tourism-dependent economy and affecting thousands of livelihoods.

Despite these challenges, there are early signs of recovery. Over the past two days, Pahalgam has begun to see a gradual return of visitors, offering a glimmer of hope to local businesses and workers whose livelihoods depend entirely on tourism.

During his visit, Kulkarni stressed the importance of firsthand experience in understanding Kashmir's unique cultural identity. "People should only get to know about the Kashmiriyat and its hospitality after visiting the place," he remarked, suggesting that no description could substitute personal experience of the region's legendary warmth and hospitality.

In what appeared to be a direct response to the intent behind the terrorist attack, Kulkarni articulated a philosophy of peaceful resistance. "The answer to hatred is love, and love grows with tourism; that's why tourism is important," he stated eloquently. The actor observed that the perpetrators of the April 22 attack had clearly aimed to deter visitors from coming to Kashmir, adding, "But a visit to Kashmir is the answer to this ideology."

Kulkarni explained that making the journey personally was essential to the authenticity of his message. "I could not have sent this message by staying in Mumbai," he noted, underscoring the importance of leading by example rather than merely offering words of encouragement from afar.

As he concluded his visit to the valley, the actor expressed deep satisfaction with his experience. "People should visit Kashmir," he encouraged, sharing that he was returning "with a heart full of love and beautiful memories." His parting message served as both a testimonial to his own positive experience and an invitation for others to create their own connections with the region, its people, and its culture.