Kashmir Café Featured in ‘Leo’ Turns Into a Special Spot for Vijay Fans

Lokesh Kanagaraj’s action drama ‘Leo’, starring Vijay in the lead role, was released in 2023. Vijay played Parthiban, a cafe owner, while several key sequences filmed in Kashmir became notable highlights of the film. The Sifar Cafe in Anantnag district, located near Mattan on the Khanabal–Pahalgam road, was also used for filming. Reports published in 2026 stated that the film’s team spent around 25 days shooting at the cafe, which appears as ‘Wild Beans’ in the movie. Several scenes featuring Vijay, Trisha and Sanjay Dutt were filmed at the location.

Following the release of ‘Leo’, the cafe has reportedly become a popular stop for Vijay fans visiting Kashmir. Cafe manager Sabzar Ahmad Lone said tourists from Tamil Nadu and other parts of South India often ask about Sifar Cafe after arriving in the region. Some fans also reportedly order hot chocolate and trout fish associated with scenes from the film. The Urdu word ‘Sifar’ means ‘zero’, but the cafe has gained a distinct identity after appearing in ‘Leo’. Local drivers and tour operators are also reportedly including the location in itineraries for tourists travelling towards Pahalgam.