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There are numerous reasons why we watch a movie over and over and one of them is because we are obsessed with the places shown in them, and there's no reason why we shouldn't be. The scenes are so surreal and mesmerizing that it leaves us wanting to live a Bollywood dream! Often we wonder where is that place or if we know the place, we are so engrossed in the movie that we hardly give it a thought what would it be like to visit the place and how can we create a memory out of it which can be totally different from the one shown in the movie.
In this blog, I will be taking you through some of our favorite Bollywood hits but with a twist. You can opt for a road trip, a bike ride, or maybe a journey on a train(It's not necessary you take the same route they took!). In case you are still wondering what exactly we are looking at. Let me tell you. We are not just talking about the destinations but also the most exciting and adventurous ways to get there and things to do, which at times can vary from the one shown in the movie.
We are living the Bollywood dream but why not live it our way?
So, if you are a travel enthusiast or a Bollywood fan, or both then you might want to stick around for all the exciting stuff that's on its way.
1. 3 idiots - A roadtrip to Leh.
When we talk about movie locations, this one tops the list. The movie has it all from beautiful mountain tops to breezy and sparkling rivers and a road trip! Since summers are approaching, this is the best time to plan one for you with your friends.
The movie captures some of the most beautiful places including Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Bangalore, Karnataka, and Shimla. How can we forget about the journey that Farhan and Raju take to meet Rancho starting from Manali to Leh. Traveling to Leh via Manali is every biker and adventure lover’s dream. There are 4 popular starting points for a bike ride to Leh: Delhi, Chandigarh, Manali, Srinagar. The Himalayas at the backdrop keep you company while you are on your way to the largest salt lake in Asia, Pangong lake. The journey can take anywhere around 2 to 3 days but the ultimate destination or even the stopovers make you wish it never ends.
2. Ranjhana - In the lanes of Banaras, The City of Light.
Call it Banaras, Varanasi or Kashi. 3 names - abundant visuals. Throughout the movie, we get to see an inter-religion love story but what contributes the most to the story are the lanes, the morning 'arti' or puja, the Fort of Ramnagar, Assi Ghat, and many other streets of Banaras.
I belong to the same state and have visited the city several times. Therefore, I have a very personal connection with it. The city seems pure, untouched, and unreal at times, especially during the morning hours.
The city is known for ghats and in the movie, they have highlighted 'Assi Ghat' which is enchanting especially if you visit it before sunrise. It also gives you the best view of the river Ganga. We also have Dasaswamedh, Manikarnika and Darbhanga Ghat. In total, there are about 88 ghats!
(If you want to see all of them, you might need more than just one trip).
Tip: If you're a photographer, Darbhanga is the place for you to get the best shots of the city.
Cultural enthusiasts might not want to miss a visit to Banaras Hindu University, Ruchika Art Gallery, and Ramnagar Fort(this is also the secret meeting spot of both the lead actors, Kundan and Zoya).
3. Yeh Jawaani hai Deewani - From the mountains to the forts.
Yeh Jawaani hai Deewani definitely makes us crave Manali vibes in the first half but in the second half, we also get to see Udaipur and one of the scenes that I adore is where Naina(the lead actress) is seen giving Bunny(the lead actor) a piece of thought-provoking advice while enjoying the sunset at Chittorgarh Fort; and Udaipur has never looked that beautiful to me ever before!
We get to see the regal property of The Oberoi Udaivilas in Udaipur during the wedding that takes place and that makes it obvious why many celebrity couples choose Udaipur for their destination wedding.
The movie also beautifully captures Manali. Hadimba temple is one of the highlights - dedicated to the wife of Bhima, the strongest of the Pandavas. The temple isn't shown in many Bollywood movies but here you get to see a glimpse of it. Furthermore, Manali is known for various adventure activities including trekking, paragliding, and skiing. The movie sublimely transitions from one state to another, and what we get in return are two fascinating places in India, Manali and Udaipur.
4. Chennai Express - Get on the train to Munnar
Having Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone on the screen makes it impossible to avert one's centre of attention but when you see the breathtaking Dudhsagar fall in its full swing and beautiful tea gardens of Munnar, you forget about it all. The movie shows the hidden aspects of Tawang, Nuranang falls, Sungester lake (also known as Madhuri Lake after this movie), dense forests and perfect wilderness of Arunachal. We are boarded on an 'Express' from Kerela to Arunachal Pradesh with Assam as a stopover.
We all remember the scene where we get a drone shot of a very long river, nonetheless, it is Brahmaputra. After the movie, I am sure we all wish to have an instance where we get on a trip to Goa but reach Komban Village instead so that instead of the beaches we can savor the Brahmaputra River.
Among all the perfect locations, what catches my attention the most is the Vidhaatha Village situated in Mahabaleshwar where the lead actors escape to. If you ever in Andhra Pradesh, try visiting this place. These people are known for their hospitality(even outside the movie)
5. Yaariyan - Among the hills of Darjeeling
Also known as the 'Queen of hills' Darjeeling is the beauty of West Bengal and while the story is going in the forefront, one cannot ignore the background. In the song 'love me thoda aur', we get a complete visual of the snow-capped Tiger Hill which has earned international fame for the magnificent view of the sunrise over "Kanchenjunga" and the great Eastern Himalayan Mountains.
We also get a classic view of St. Joseph's college where the majority of the scenes take place and we see students enjoying themselves but don't get your spirits high, it's just Bollywood!
What is not shown in the movie is Shanti Stupa which showcases the four avatars of the Buddha, Ghoom which is a small hilly locality and also the highest railway station in India. In case, you want to have a look at Mount Everest, you might need to trek up to Tiger hill and there you have it, the Mount Everest peak right in front of you!
6. Wake Up Sid - A walk along the Marine drive
The entire movie is shot in Mumbai and captures the vibrant nightlife of the city. The movie begins and also ends with the lead actors taking a walk along the Marine Drive also known as Queen's necklace. It's called so because when one looks from an elevated point from anywhere along the drive, the street lights resemble a string of pearls.
Mumbai has been the home ground of Bollywood and Bollywood has always done justice to the city. Towards the end, the protagonists while taking a walk along the Drive realize that the solution was right under their nose the whole time. The scene gets even more impactful when accompanied by the best soundtrack.
So the next time you are in Mumbai have your playlist handy and take a walk along the drive - You might get answers to the questions that have been haunting you for the longest time!
Bonus: The city is a traveler's haven. Towards the end of Marine Drive, you have Chawpatty Beach which is one of the most seasoned seafronts. If you are a shopping enthusiast then a visit to Colaba Causeway Market is a must which has everything from cheap road garments to vogue stores. Or if the Bollywood fanatic in you allows then take a look around the Film City and live your Bollywood dream.
Nothing could be better than concluding this article in Bollywood style. A visit to any of these Bollywood inspired locations is sure to be a 'Paisa Vasool'(Value for money) trip. So, the next time you are craving for some Bollywood content and a trip - just put the two together and go for it!