Kupwara, 26 September 2025: High in the rugged mountains of north Kashmir lies Sadhna Top, a breathtaking pass that connects the frontier district of Kupwara with the rest of the Valley. While the region is known for its strategic importance and harsh winters, the pass also carries a slice of Bollywood history—its name forever linked to yesteryear actress Sadhana Shivdasani, one of Hindi cinema’s most celebrated stars.
Originally called Nastachun Pass, the route was once a lifeline for weary soldiers and traders braving snowstorms and avalanches. During the 1960s, as Bollywood filmmakers flocked to Kashmir to capture its scenic beauty, the pass became a backdrop for shooting film sequences. Locals recall that when actress Sadhana visited for a film shoot, her grace and popularity left such a deep impression that the pass was rechristened “Sadhna Top” in her honour.
Today, Sadhna Top in Kupwara is both a tourist attraction and a symbol of how art and geography intertwined in Kashmir’s cultural landscape. The panoramic views of Shamsbari ranges, rolling meadows, and snow-clad peaks continue to draw visitors, many of whom are unaware of the Bollywood connection.
For soldiers stationed in the frontier areas, the pass remains a testing ground of endurance, often cut off by heavy snowfall. Yet, its association with Sadhana has ensured that a touch of glamour remains woven into the rugged terrain.
The story of Sadhna Top is not just about a mountain pass—it is about how a weary route for soldiers and villagers came to be immortalised by a star, cementing the bond between Kashmir’s geography and India’s cinematic history.
