Films Set In India to Inspire Your Travels

India is a filmmaker’s dream because of its grand palaces, humming cities, vibrant culture, and a kaleidoscope of unique landscapes. Bollywood may be one of the world’s biggest active film production hubs. Still, the modest selection of great foreign films with an Indian location offers a virtual glimpse of the continent’s most stunning landscapes. Take inspiration from these classic movies set in India to organize a wonderful and memorable trip that will win you awards.

The Exotic Marigold Hotel

The movie was shot in Rajasthan, with charming cameos from Jaipur’s imposing City Palace and vibrant flower market. The story follows seven Brits looking for a peaceful refuge to spend the remaining part of their lives. In the tranquil town of Khempur, the charming run-down guesthouse for “the aged and the beautiful” was located at Ravla Khempur, a 17th-century castle transformed into an equestrian hostel.

The Darjeeling Limited

Wes Anderson, the director, has never hesitated to use crazily saturated color in his productions. His 2007 film, which follows three brothers on an epic train trip across the arid expanses of India, doesn’t skimp on his trademark psychedelic. The whole movie, especially the scenes in Udaipur and Jodhpur, was filmed in Rajasthan, despite The Darjeeling Limited’s narrative, which veers panoramically throughout the region.

The Life of Pi

The Life of Pi, Ang Lee’s excellent adaptation of Yann Martel’s novel, uses a lot of green techs to depict the bond between a Bengal tiger and Piscine Patel in a rescue boat. But the movie begins in the opulent French town of ancient Pondicherry. It then veers into the tea estates surrounding Munnar in Kerala, presenting the audience with views of greenish South India.

Million Dollar Arm

The Million Dollar Arm movie is about two baseball pitchers, Dinesh Patel and Rinku Singh, who came to prominence on a television program created by an agent to train cricketers into professional athletes in baseball. While part of the storyline takes place in the United States, a significant part is set in India. 

The Mumbai scenes were captured on a Sunday morning, during rare tranquil hours in the often chaotic city; other scenes include picturesque villages near Mumbai and Udaipur. The best image is Agra’s Taj Mahal at twilight, seen from the Yamuna riverbank.

Heat And Dust

When Anne travels to Uttar Pradesh in 1982 to investigate the history of her great-aunt, an illegal relationship between a nawab (prince) and the wife of a British colonial officer in the 1920s intersects with Anne’s relationship with her landlord. The picturesque hill resort of Gulmarg in Kashmir serves as the film’s crowning setting, with scenes also taking place at the exclusive Secunderabad Club and in the Andhra Pradesh scenery.

James Bond, played by Roger Moore, follows an Afghan prince who has been banished to his headquarters, where he finds Octopussy, a fellow smuggler. The lavish Lake Palace (Octopussy’s opulent pile) on Lake Pichola and the beautiful suites of Shiv Niwas Palace serve as magnificent envoys for Rajasthan’s rich heritage and provide amusing sideways glimpses of the region.

Chennai Express

The director of Chennai Express, Rohit Shetty, offers his viewers some breathtaking vistas to enjoy in Chennai Express among the flurry of chuckles and frantic twists. The magnificent Dudhsagar Falls in Goa is a delight, captured luxuriously with overhead shots. 

Besides its stunning waterfall, the Keralan hill town of Munnar served as the background for a large section of the movie.

Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani

Everybody wants to explore the globe today, much like Ranbir.  But remember that his heart has ultimately drawn him to India since that country is fantastic! Gulmarg’s snow-covered summits, surrounded by thick woods and glittering in all their white splendor, are as stunningly gorgeous as they are daring. 

The movie’s first part portrayed Gulmarg as Manali; nevertheless, Ayan Mukerji’s movie not only revealed the breathtaking Himalayan scenery but also encouraged many people to pack their bags and go on challenging hikes. The rest of the movie is a vacation romance set in iconic historic locations, including the Chittorgarh Fort, the City Palace in Udaipur, and the Hadimba Temple in Manali.

Kaal

One of the most exciting Bollywood movies highlighting Indian wildlife is Kaal, directed by Soham Shah and produced by Shahrukh Khan. Ajay Devgan, Vivek Oberoi, John Abraham, Lara Dutta, and Esha Deol are some of the renowned Bollywood performers in the movie. A jeep trip in Uttarakhand’s Corbett National Park, one of India’s most well-known national parks, is included in the fictitious narrative about humans devouring tigers.

Jab We Met

The action of the film Jab We Met begins on a train in the busy metropolis of Mumbai when Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor’s characters, Aditya Kashyap and Geet Dhillon, get acquainted and go on an exciting adventure. It twists and turns along highways in Manali and Shimla and across the Himachal Pradesh hills. 

After that, it also transports you to Bhatinda,  one of the historic Indian cities in Punjab, where you may experience its rustic odor. A few shots were filmed at Manali Castle, one of the city’s well-known monuments, which rises to Rohtang Pass at 3,948 meters and is located on the Manali-Leh Highway.