For Bollywood buffs, visiting real filming locations is among the most fun experiences. Whether it be cities or hotels, spending some time in the locations where your favourite celebrities spent days shooting is a unique experience. So, we’ve curated a list of islands where your favourite Bollywood movies were shot to make your future travel plans easier! By Anushka Goel
Islands where Bollywood movies were shot
Mauritius – Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
Mauritius is a destination made extremely popular through Bollywood, and among the many films shot here is the iconic Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. Several scenes, including the one when Rahul (Shah Rukh Khan) is late in meeting her daughter Anjali (Sana Saeed) and comes bearing gifts and a bouquet for her, are shot at the Le Caudan Waterfront, while the college where Rahul, Anjali (Kajol) and Tina (Rani Mukerji) study is, in reality, the University of Mauritius, where the exterior portions of the college scenes were shot.
Seychelles – Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha
Parts of the Kajol-Ajay Devgn starrer Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha were shot in Seychelles and are among the many movies shot in the beautiful destination. Rocky Handsome, Papa Kehte Hain and Ram Jaane are among the Bollywood movies shot in the islands of the country, which is also a popular honeymoon and romantic destination.
Corsica – Tamasha
Tamasha is probably among the most popular movies that Imtiaz Ali made, which highlights the struggles of the lead character, Ved (Ranbir Kapoor), with his identity crisis and how it takes a toll on his relationship with Tara (Deepika Padukone), who fell in love with a completely different version of the man in front of her. The story was shot at various locations in India along with the stunning Corsica, where Ved and Tara meet for the first time and which forms the bases of Tara’s love for him.
Santorini – Bang Bang
The Santorini Islands in Greece have served as a backdrop for several movies, both Bollywood and international. Among the films shot here include Bang Bang, especially the song Meherbaan, Tashan, Wanted and Chalte Chalte, where the stunning location paints the perfect picture for a scenic love song or a picturesque action sequence.
Maldives – Ek Villain
While the destination in Ek Villain is shown as Goa, a lot of the scenes in the film, including the popular track Galliyan, was shot in the stunning Maldives. The destination served as the perfect backdrop to the soulful romantic track in the movie and was also among the many picturesque locations featured in the Hrithik Roshan, Barbara Mori-starrer Kites.
Thailand – Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai
Thailand’s islands have served as the backdrop for several stunning shows and films, including the island where Rohit (Hrithik Roshan) and Sonia (Ameesha Patel) are stranded. The sequence was shot in Krabi islands, and among the other stunning islands in the country that have featured in Bollywood movies include Koh Samui, Phuket, and more.
Iceland – Dilwale
Ever since the Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Kriti Sanon and Varun Dhawan-starrer Dilwale was released, fans started googling the plane wreck where the song Gerua was shot. The location is Sólheimasandur beach in the south of Iceland, where years ago, a plane was forced to make an emergency landing, according to reports, and since then, the plane hasn’t been removed.
Fiji Islands – 3G
While the Neil Nitin Mukesh, Sonal Chauhan-starrer didn’t do too well, the film did show some picturesque settings of Fiji Islands, which makes us want to pack our bags and go there as soon as possible!
Andaman – The Sky Is Pink
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Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been relatively underexplored areas when it comes to shooting locations. However, the islands have featured in a few Bollywood and Indian movies in general, including The Sky Is Pink, Kaalapaani and more.
Madh Island – Several TV shows, ads and films
Madh Islands, which is located in Mumbai, is home to a lot of shoot locations. It houses several bungalows and locations where films, TV shows and even advertisements are shot, such as the Berger Paints advertisement starring Akshay Kumar, shows such as Crime Patrol and several films including Phir Hera Pheri. You can also visit the place for a weekend staycation and stay put at one of the many hotels and resorts there.
Hero and Featured Image: A still from the film
Related: Siblings Day: Bollywood Celebrities Who Set Travel Goals With Their Partners In Crime
