Travel To Bollywood’s Iconic Locations!

If you are a Bollywood fan and if you love travelling, guess what? This post is just for you! Bollywood movies are famous for their shooting locations. Whether it’s dancing in a chiffon saree through Switzerland’s best sceneries to exploring the virgin Prague in Rockstar – Bollywood gives its audience a visual treat, transporting them to beautiful locations in just a few hours!  Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara changed the way people looked at Spain, Krissh covered Singapore while Chalte Chalte featured Greece, like never before. From showcasing magnificent monuments in foreign locations and exotic places in India, the first thing any fan would ask, “Where is this place”? Well, fasten your seat belts as we take you on a journey of the most glamorous locations shown in Bollywood Movies.

Switzerland has to be Bollywood’s all-time favourite shooting destinations. Here are some films that have been shot in Switzerland :

Bachna Ae Haseeno

This is the Rougemont Railway Station in Switzerland where Ranbir meets Minissha.

This is the Early Beck, Gstaad, Switzerland – The café where Ranbir and Minissha taste chocolates.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GruJGkLdDlM]

Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge

This is the Saanen station in Kanton Bern, Switzerland where Simran misses her train & gets stuck with Raj for the rest of her journey to Zurich.

Simran visits the St Peter’s church in Switzerland.

The house in which Simran refuses to stay overnight with Raj, is located at the Valley of Simmental, Switzerland.

Enough of Switzerland? OK. Let’s move on to some other parts of the world made famous by our Bollywood films …

Cocktail Cocktail, starring Deepika Padukone, Saif Ali Khan and newcomer Diana Penty, has been predominantly shot out of India. While Daaru Desi was shot in London, Tum Hi Ho Bandhu was picturized in South Africa. Check it out :

Song – Daaru Desi

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAPPChRYp4k]
Song : Tum Hi Ho Bandhu
The more exciting location in Cocktail was for the shooting of “Tum Hi Ho Bandhu”on Maiden’s Cove beach in Cape Town. A special set was built on the beach for the song and around a hundred extras were hired with choreography by Bosco. Speaking about the shooting of the song, director  Homi Adajania said,  “We have chosen the windiest location in Cape Town for this song”

Check out the making : [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYuT6XtzZM8]

Barfi!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqQ6BF50AT4]

Barfi! surely emerges as West Bengal’s brand ambassador. Darjeeling, Queen of Hills, in the yesteryears was a much sought after film destination. However steeped in political strife and having been a witness to two major statehood agitations, Darjeeling lost out to newer film destinations in India and abroad. “Barfi! is one of the few good things that has happened to Darjeeling lately. With peace having returned and everyone trying to reestablish Darjeeling’s brand image, Barfi! is definitely an auspicious and lucky breakthrough. It will definitely boost Darjeeling as a tourism and film destination brand. Films shot in Darjeeling include Aaradhana, Barsaat, Mera Naam Joker, China Town, Aye Din Bahar Ke, Baharon Ki mAnzil, Hariyali Aaur Raasta, Mausam, Professor, Do Annjaney, Barsaat Ki Ek Raat, Lahu Ke Do Raang, Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, Baara Din, Via Darjeeling, Parineeta, Main Hoon Na. In 1962, Legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray immortalized Darjeeling in his first colour film Kanchenjunga.

Clock Tower, Darjeeling, West Bengal, India

St Paul’s School, Darjeeling, West Bengal, India (Shown as Muskaan)

Jab Tak Hain Jaan

When it’s a Yash Raj Film, trust the locations to be as beautiful as the leading ladies. Remember the introduction scene of Katrina Kaif running into the church in a pink lehenga and red fur coat? Well, that was shot in front of All Saints Church, Blackheath in London, England.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_ziG-S4PNQ]

The song “Saans” was shot at the Great Conservatory, Syon Park, London, England and in front of Somerset House, London, England.
Check out the pictures !

Great Conservatory, Syon Park


Somerset House

Asoka
I was only 12 when Asoka released in 2001 but when I saw the film, I was completely blown away by the exotic locations. Being brought up outside India, Asoka was one of the films I remember watching with my non-Indian films and they insisted on going to these exact locations shown in the movie. Well, at that time I had no idea I was going to grow up to blog about Indian films. Well, during my research on the various film locations, I learnt that this period drama has been mostly shot at Pachmarhi in Madhya Pradesh, India. This has to be one of the finest locations ever showcased on Indian films. Check it out.

The scene where Asoka, played by Shah Rukh Khan, cuts his hair, and turns into a normal citizen, Pawan has been shot at Ahilya Fort, Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Raat Ka Nasha was shot at the beautiful Bhedaghat,Dhundhaar falls in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0oJVBp5NsU]

The introduction song of Kaurawaki “San sananan” has her singing and dancing in the green hills of Pachmarhi in Madhya Pradesh, India. Pawan later teaches Kaurawaki sword fighting inside Reechgarh caves at Pachmarhi,. Kaurawaki waits for Pawan to return while calling out his name at Dhoopgarh, the beautiful sunset point at Pachmarhi in Madhya Pradesh, India.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLorpw5EmUc]

Below are some pictures of Hotels & Resorts that have been shown as lavish houses of our Bollywood stars in many films.

The Sariska Palace, Sariska, Alwar. Rajasthan, India which was shown as Amrish Puri’s haveli in the movie Karan Arjun.

The Chomu Palace Hotel, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India which was shown as the haunted Haveli in the movie Bhool Bhulaiya.

The Lagoona Resort, Lonavala, Maharashtra, India was shown as Raj Singhania’s (played by Bobby Deol) mansion in Humraaz.

This is the Woodville Palace Hotel in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India – where Kareena Kapoor was getting married in 3 Idiots.

This is the Baradari Palace Hotel in Patiala, Punjab, India. This beautiful hotel was shown as Bebo’s house in the movie, Bodyguard.

This is the Hiranandani Gardens, Powai, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India – a very famous shooting location. This building has been shown as Rani’s apartment in the movie Chalte Chalte. This place was also shown as  Amisha Patel’s college in the film Kaho Na Pyar Hain where Hrithik, on a bicycle, sees her for the first time. Slumdog Millionaire has also been shot here.

Interesting, nuh?

Well that’s about it – hope you guys have documented which hotels to book and which places to visit to relive some of the fascinating moments of your favourite Bollywood films. Tell us, which one’s your favourite?