Tamil Fans Flock to Anantnag’s Leo Café After Vijay’s Film Shoot

A small café in Anantnag, Kashmir, has become a favourite stop for visitors from Tamil Nadu and elsewhere after it appeared as a shooting location in the Tamil blockbuster Leo, starring C Joseph Vijay — who is also now the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

The eatery, known as Sifar Café and located about 40 km from Pahalgam, drew attention during filming when Vijay shot several scenes there and reportedly enjoyed a local trout dish. Fans have taken to making pilgrimages to the site to take pictures, record videos and soak up the connection to the film and the actor-politician.

What was once an ordinary café in a scenic hill area — not typically a major draw for southern tourists — is now frequently packed with Tamil visitors who want to see the place where Vijay filmed Leo. The walls inside are filled with posters of Vijay, and staff regularly share the story of his visit with curious patrons.

The trend reflects how popular culture and star fandom can influence travel patterns: a film location that once might have gone unnoticed has now become an unexpected tourism hotspot, helping spotlight a region of Kashmir that earlier saw fewer visitors from the south of India.