Bollywood, India’s Hindi Film Industry, has been a source of some quirky inspirations to many of us. From chasing trains for love to wearing skimpy clothes in the snow, Bollywood has definitely left its impact. One of the better inspirations is the newfound passion among Indians to travel and explore the world. What started off with DDLJ only got bigger and better with the likes of Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Queen. No, I am not talking about the editing or the Dolby surround sound but Bollywood’s love affair with Wanderlust!! These 7 movies gave us splendid images packed within those lucid frames that captured the extraordinary beauty of Europe. It whetted our imagination to the point that trade and travel ministries from different countries have started wooing Bollywood film producers to shoot movies in their countries. This one is a salute to all the Directors of Photography and Recce guys out there who ventured beyond the known and found these epic locations.

1. DDLJ - The original Bollywood Travel Inspiration

He travelled, he saw, he fell in love and then he made us a part of his love affair too. Yes, I am talking about none other than Yash Chopra. Can you imagine Dilwaale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge without its European backdrop? Don’t think so!! Europe’s breathtaking landscapes are in striking contrast to India’s rustic beauty. The film moved beautifully from international destinations like London and Switzerland to Punjab. A considerable part of the film was shot in London taking us on an open-top bus tour including Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Whitehall, Westminster Bridge, South Bank, County Hall, Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, Buckingham Palace, King’s Cross Station, Angel Underground Station and The Broadway in Southall. That was complimented by a whirlwind tour of Europe by Eurail to witness the growing romance of his leading couple.

2. Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam - From Gujarat to Italy, with Love

Sanjay Leela Bhansali shifted gears in the second half of the film and moved gracefully from the elaborate, traditional Gujarati haveli to lyrically beautiful Italy. Most of the second half is supposed to have been set in Italy, but is actually shot in Hungary. Recollect the climax scene when Nandini finally goes back to Vanraj. The scene was shot on the famous Szechenyi Chain Bridge above the Danube, which though supposedly in Italy is located in Budapest. Hungary doubled for Italy quite a bit in this movie, but nobody’s complaining. Widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Budapest is considered an important Central European hub for business, culture and tourism. It’s only fair to say that Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam was a fine package of outrageously good-looking actors, melodramatic romance, and the decadent locales of Hungary.

3. Bachna Ae Haseeno - Travel to meet New People

You would have to agree that before this movie you had no idea that Deepika and Ranbir would look so good together. The actors, teamed with the pristine locales of Italy and Greece where the song “Khuda Jane” was shot, made the chemistry palpable. Director Siddharth Anand shot sumptuous portions of the movie in Switzerland, Italy, Greece and Australia making a lot of scenes lot beyond surreal. The movie was shot at an assortment of locations ranging from the Isle of Capri, Naples, Campania, Alberobello Trulli, Vignanotica Bay, Bari, Sant’Angelo Castle and Bridge, St. Mark’s Square, Faraglioni di Mattinata in Italy, Sydney Opera House, Hyde Park in Sydney and Bern, Rougemont and Gstaad in Switzerland. We were all spoilt for choice in this one.

4. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara - Travel to experience España!

The movie was all about 3 childhood friends setting out on a fun bachelor road trip through Spain starting in Barcelona. Although the film opens in Barcelona, the real road-trip starts at the beautiful coastline beaches of the Costa Brava north of the city with scenes shot near Lloret de Mar. In Valencia they join in the tomato festival La Tomatina (recreated for the movie), then indulge in some bull running in Pamplona and finally experience flamenco dancing in Seville. The movie was modern, fun and adventurous giving all those bachelors/bachelorettes in tow an excuse to move beyond Thailand and Bangkok.

5. Rockstar - Travel for Love & Music

They say the devil is in the details. And if so, Imtiaz Ali is one delicious devil! Shot in Prague and a bit of Italy, Rockstar has all the beauty and grandeur that Bollywood films are known for. Unlike in some other international films in which Prague stands in for London or some other location, Czech heritage and culture actually portrayed themselves in Rockstar and brilliantly so. Leaving aside how gorgeous Prague looked throughout the film, it’s amazing that Imtiaz Ali managed to shoot at ; some of the most iconic tourist places in Prague - Maltézské náměstí, Charles Bridge, Vrtbov Gardens, the steps to Prague Castle, interiors of Státní Opera.

6. Yeh Jawaani hai Deewani - Travel to See the World (and cuz the travel channel is paying for it!)

Is it just us or do you also envy Ranbir Kapoor for starring in movies shot at the choicest of locations abroad? As you probably remember, the narrative takes a turn when Ranbir moves to Chicago for a course in journalism. 8 years and bushy stubble later we meet him again but this time around he is a sought after travel photographer strutting about the streets of Paris. From shooting a travel/food show in front of the Pantheon, an iconic church in the Latin Quarter and romancing on Rue Mouffetard, one of the most vibrant and oldest neighborhoods in Paris to gazing up the Eiffel Tower, Ranbir covers the city of lights in all its glory. Watching him ponder on the bridge across the River Seine, against the dynamic landscape of the city, makes your heart melt.

7. Queen - Travel to Find Yourself

So there are movies that take a random detour to a foreign locale (mostly in the form of a dream sequence song) and then there are movies like Queen that personify backpacking through Europe. A movie that talks about coming of age and letting go, who wouldn’t empathize with the doe-eyed Rani and her crazy journey to self discovery. The movie was shot generously in Paris and Amsterdam, but it was more about the experience than shooting at famous tourist attractions. The storyline was wonderfully woven around a single girl’s adventure exploring a foreign country and eventually finding her own.

Cinema has, since time immemorial, acted as creative fodder for the masses casting its hypnotic spell the way no other mass medium can. It’s amazing how it has actually lead to something as constructive as travelling. These movies not only gave us a vision and a purpose to travel but also nudged the society at large to accept things like, solo travelling was okay for girls and that backpacking is not for junkies and poor people!
<Peace out!!>

Shubhra

After spending almost 3 years creating buzz around brands, I decided to quit the world of PR and pursue my true calling which was all about traveling and yoga. If not planning my next trip then I could be found cooking up a storm in the kitchen. Though born and raised in the hillside town of Dehradun I am a beach bum at heart.

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