At a height of 10200 feet near Tangdhar, 134 Kilometers from Srinagar exists the Nastha Chun Pass. Nastha Chun Pass literally means a “Cut Nose Pass”, as people don’t feel their nose here due to strong and colds winds blowing throughout the year. Kashmiri name of this Pass is “Nathi Chapa Gali” which means “Numb Nose Pass” due to the same reason. Nasta Chun Pass is most popularly known as the SADHNA PASS, named after the famous Bollywood actress Sadhna Shivdasani who visited the Pass after 1965 war to interact with soldiers.

Sadhana Shivdasani, popularly known by the mononym Sadhana, was an Indian film actress, who appeared in many successful films of 1960s and 70s. Acknowledged as one of the finest top leading film actresses in the history of Hindi cinema, Sadhana was the highest-paid actress of her time from early 1960s to late 1970s.

Sadhna, also known as the “mystery girl” due to her mesmerizing roles in suspense films like “Woh Kaun Thi” “Mera Saaya” and “Anita” was a household name in her times. Talented, beautiful, charming and a peoples’ actress, she had a brilliant smile, expressive eyes, gracious walk and a very sweet voice. Sadhna was famous for many things including the famous “Sadhna Hair Cut”. She made Churidars, Kurtiand Mojris undying fashions through her films. She was a style icon of her era and girls in those days used to copy every fashion Sadhna used to adopt. She looked graceful in every attire and had a distinct screen presence.

Many of the outstanding Bollywood songs were filmed on her as actress. No one can forget “Abhi Na Jao Chor Kar….” from Film “Hum Dono” which is still considered as the most romantic song of all times…. and who can ever forget the haunting “Lag Ja Gale Ke Phir Yeh Haseen Raat Ho Na Ho” or the bubbly dance number “Jhumka Gira Re Bareilly Ke Bazaar Mein”. Her alluring role in “Mere Mehboob” as “Husna Begum” was widely adored by people. “Ai Phoolon Ki Rani, Baharon ki Malika”, another romantic melody was filmed in Nishat and Shalimar Gardens of Srinagar. Sadhna often came to Kashmir for shooting of her films. A number of her films including the block buster “Arzoo” were filmed in Kashmir. Many of the scenes of famous films like “Arzoo” were shot in and around the beautiful “Dal Lake”.

Sadhana’s fame and peoples’ admiration for her is evident from the fact that the Pass she visited once was named after her by the people of Kashmir. Perhaps, the Pass symbolizes the great height of fame and admiration Sadhna had achieved in her life. This legendary actress of yesteryears left for heavenly abode on 25 Dec 2015, leaving behind a vacuum in the hearts of her fans covering all ages…. but then one remembers her song from “Mera Saaya” – “Tu Jahan Jahan Chalega, Mera Saaya Saath Hoga” and feels she is still around. Film stars always had a special love for Kashmir, so much so that legendary actor Shammi Kapoor, who immortalized the Shikara on the Dal Lake in the song “Tareef Karun Kya Uski”, finally became a part of that area forever after his ashes were immersed in the lake.

The film fraternity has always been mesmerized by the beautiful & picturesque locations of Kashmir, ideal for their films and though lesser in numbers, films are still being shot here. The potential, however, is much more. Film shootings do not need any investments and are not bound by weather conditions. These are elaborate affairs which generate considerable employment and boost economy of an area significantly. These shooting also give a positive stimulus to tourism in the area. Only infrastructure required for the film shootings in Kashmir is the natural beauty and that the Almighty has gifted in abundant quantity.