From some ordinary locations in a deserted village to a landscape amid the statuesque mountains, Bollywood has given us some of the most unique and marvelous shooting locations in India. The Indian film industry is probably one of the best ways to promote tourism in even the remotest and most offbeat places in our country. It may be an ordinary location, but as soon as you put it in a Bollywood movie, it becomes a popular tourist destination. So here’s a modest list of Bollywood film shooting locations that’ll encourage you to take a tour to these sublime places.
15 Best Shooting Locations In India
Whether you want to witness a movie shooting scene or searching a location for your upcoming video shoot, the following are the most popular shooting sites in India:
Best Shooting Locations In North India
Hilly terrains where your favorite Bollywood stars break into dance or those romantic forts and palaces- most of which are right here in North India are now famous tourist spots. So, check out these amazing shooting locations in India that are waiting to be explored:
- Rohtang Pass: Incredible Geographical Wonders
- Pangong Lake: Dream Location
- Gulmarg: Snowy Mountains And Chinar Trees
- Udaipur Palace: Royal Encounter
- Banaras Ghats: Mystic Sites
- India Gate: Iconic Site In Delhi
- Darjeeling Himalayan Railway: Mesmerizing Ambiance
- Shillong: Super Hit Sites
- Munnar: Lush Green Valleys
- Athirapally And Vazhachal Falls: Majestic “Baahubali” Location
- Ooty: Filmmaker’s Paradise
- Pamban Bridge: Breathtaking Views
- Chapora Fort: The Dil Chahta Hai Spot
- Dhom Dam: Scenic Ambiance
- Mahabaleshwar: Romantic Escapes
1. Rohtang Pass: Incredible Geographical Wonders
It’s not just Kashmir and Manali Indian filmmakers fancy. In fact, there are some incredible geographical wonders around Manali which have made it through the “Bollywood film shooting locations” list, and one such place is Rohtang Pass. Movies like Jab We Met and Highway have made this location immortal. This has pretty much-become heaven to biking enthusiasts. Haven’t we all thought of riding through that spine chilling stretch of snowclad road?
How to reach: Joginder Nagar is the nearest railway station which is about 103 km from Rohtang Pass and 50 km from Manali. From there you need to hire a car to reach Rohtang Pass.
Best time to visit: May to October
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2. Pangong Lake: Dream Location
Who can forget the reunion of Raju, Farhan, Ranchoddas Chanchad by the blue and hypnotizing waters of Pangong Lake! That mesmerizing lake made all of us dream of traveling to that land of beauty someday. It was first Lakshya then Tashan and then 3 Idiots, and after that many followed. This Sanam Re shorting location should not be missed by anyone.
How to reach: Pangong Tso can be reached after a five-hour drive from Leh.
Best time to visit: May to September
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3. Gulmarg: Snowy Mountains And Chinar Trees
Many of the greatest Bollywood classic hits like Aap Ki Kasam and Bobby were shot amid the snow-covered mountains and Chinar trees of Gulmarg, which made it one of the best shooting locations in India. Some of the greatest hits of this era like Ye Jawani Hai Deewani, Highway, and Haider also display the timeless charm of this valley.
How to reach: The nearest airport to Gulmarg is in Srinagar which is 56 kilometers away. You can hire a car from there to reach Gulmarg.
Best time to visit: March to June
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4. Udaipur Palace: Royal Encounter
The Udaipur Palace has not only won the hearts of Indian filmmakers but has also become one of the best places for pre-wedding shoot in India. Octopussy, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Guide, Raam Leela, and The Jewel in the Crown are some of the greatest movies that were shot at this grand palace.
How to reach: Udaipur is well-connected and you can take a flight, train or bus according to your budget to reach here.
Best time to visit: September to March
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5. Banaras Ghats: Mystic Sites
Banaras is a kind of place that should definitely be added to your travel bucket list. Many Bollywood movies have captured the vibrant and lively essence of Banaras and its ghats, but Raanjhanaa and Masaan have done an exceptionally brilliant job. Banaras, with its old-world lanes and traditional homes, is certainly among the best film shooting locations in India.
How to reach: From the railway station, you can hire auto rickshaw, car or auto to reach up to Godaulia. From there walk down to ghats.
Best time to visit: November to February
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6. India Gate: Iconic Site In Delhi
With being the most iconic landmarks in Delhi, India Gate is also one of the favorite film shooting locations in Delhi. The venues of many revolutions and protests in India, India Gate has been the top choice of filmmakers in India. If you remember, the Rang De Basanti scene, which has Khoon Chala song in it was shot here.
How to reach: If you are already in Delhi then its quite easy to reach India Gate. You can board a local bus or hire a cab to reach here.
Best time to visit: October to March
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Best Shooting Locations In Northeast India
Movies that aren’t afraid to go off the beaten track looking for scenic shooting locations in India, at times also end up in North East India. Check out these far eastern beauties that you’ll recognize from the movies:
7. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway: Mesmerizing Ambiance
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and the hill station have been some of the most breathtaking Bollywood movie shooting locations in India. This location has been the darling of Indian filmmakers for long. From the popular Barfi to the classic Parineeta, all found beauty in Darjeeling. But the most iconic place where some of the most interesting scenes of the movies were shot on Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, which offers a panoramic view of the entire hill station.
How to reach: The nearest airport to Darjeeling is Bagdogra which is approximately 95 km away from the city. You can also board a train to reach here.
Best time to visit: April to June
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8. Shillong: Super Hit Sites
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Shillong is among the most loved shooting locations in India. Its charm and the majestic landscapes have attracted many filmmakers. Kurbaan and Rock On 2 are the most popular movies that were shot here, and after that, it became a super hit tourist destination and a popular honeymoon hill station.
How to reach: The nearest airport to the hill station is the Umroi Airport near Barapani, which is about 25 kilometers away.
Best time to visit: September and May
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Best Shooting Locations In South India
Be it the ‘Queen of Hills’ or Kerala’s burst of green, these places often end up as shooting locations in India owing to their unparalleled beauty. Here are some of the places in Southern India that were seen in movies.
9. Munnar: Lush Green Valleys
It won’t be wrong to say that Munnar’s tea estates are the most popular shooting locations in India. Be it a small budget Tamil movie or a grand Bollywood movie, Munnar has always been the first choice of Indian filmmakers. Movies like Chennai Express, Nishabd, and Life of Pi have given us another reason to visit God’s Own Country.
How to reach: The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, which is around 125 km away from Munnar. You can prefer a road journey between Cochin and Munnar to capture mesmerizing sights of the surrounding ambiance.
Best time to visit: September to March
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10. Athirapally And Vazhachal Falls: Majestic “Baahubali” Location
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Have you ever wondered about the scenic beauty shown in the movie Baahubali? If so, let us tell you that you too can pay a visit to some of the most gorgeous waterfalls in south India: Athirapally and Vazhachal Falls. I so want to pack my bag and leave for Kerala right away!
How to reach: Chalakudy (32 km) is the nearest junction to Athirapally falls and it is connected by bus. One can take public/private vehicle from Chalakudy to reach Athirapally
Best time to visit: September to January
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11. Ooty: Filmmaker’s Paradise
Ooty needs no introduction! Ooty has many popular points where some of the most iconic movies of Bollywood were shot. What made the super hit song “chayan chayan” from Dilse and the melodious “dekha hai pehli baar” from Sajan so gorgeous was the majestic charm of Ooty. Some of the most successful Bollywood movies, including Barfi, Sajan, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Dilse, and Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani were shot at different locations in Ooty.
How to reach: The nearest railhead is Mettupalyam, 40 kilometers from Ooty. You can also take a flight to Coimbatore and reach Ooty via road from there.
Best time to visit: October to June
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12. Pamban Bridge: Breathtaking Views
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Do you remember this absolutely sublime scene where Rameshwaram Chennai Express passes on Pamban Bridge in Chennai Express? Yes, it exists! And you can take a train ride to actually experience the thrill. This Chennai Express movie shooting location is something you can add to your travel bucket list.
How to reach: The bridge is located 14.8 km from Rameswaram bus stand. You can reach the bridge by government buses or private vehicles.
Best time to visit: November to February
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Best Shooting Locations In West India
When it comes to picking the right shooting locations in India, movie makers managed to find enchanting places in the West too. Here are some of the gorgeous places in West India that have been made iconic after their shot to fame.
13. Chapora Fort: The Dil Chahta Hai Spot
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Who doesn’t remember Sid, Sameer, and Akaash sitting on a brick wall of a fort by the Arabian Sea and discussing life and friendship! We all do, right? This particular scene not only changed our perspective on friendship but also gave us a spectacular destination where we can go with those weird pals. Aren’t you already excited to recreate the scene with your gang?
How to reach: Local buses connecting Mapusa town to Anjuna Beach and Vagator Beach makes a stop at the fort. Travelers can also hire a taxi from Mapusa or Panaji to reach here
Best time to visit: December to March
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14. Dhom Dam: Scenic Ambiance
Dhom Dam is a secret shooting location in India. It is an absolutely delightful place for camping by the waterside, under the wide blue sky, with the views of the wonderful valleys. Dhom Dam is quite famous among filmmakers, but its location has hardly been disclosed. Ishqiya, Shivaji, Dabangg, Chennai Express, Mangal Pandey, Swades, Omkara and many other Bollywood hits were shot here.
How to reach: It is located at a distance of 21 km from Panchgani & 97 km from Pune
Best time to visit: December to February
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15. Mahabaleshwar: Romantic Escapes
Whenever Bollywood wanted to show us a picture-perfect village, a serene lake, and glorious landscapes, they first think of Mahabaleshwar. Do you remember the song “woh ladki hai kahan” from Dil Chahta Hai? or some majestic scenes of the Western Ghats from Baahubali? Yes, they were shot right here in Mahabaleshwar.
How to reach: While Wathar (60 km) is the nearest railway station from Mahabaleshwar, the most accessible and convenient one would be at Pune. If you are traveling through the road, then you are going to catch truly mesmerizing glimpses.
Best time to visit: December to February
Further Read: 15 Most Beautiful Places In The World That Are A Poet’s Untamed Imagination
So these were some of the most iconic shooting locations in India, where your favorite movies were shot. How many of them have you covered already? Tell us in the comments section below. You can also plan your trip to these beautiful places with TravelTriangle and enjoy vacationing.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Shooting Locations In India
Which movie was shot in Mahabaleshwar?
A large number of movies have been filmed in Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra, India. These include Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hain, Gangaajal, Omkara, Dabangg 1 & 2, Swades, Ishqiya, Singham, Deool, Bol Bachchan, Zila Ghaziabad, Gulaab Gang, R Rajkumar, Chennai Express, and Bajirao Mastani among others. Where was Chennai Express shot?
The Bollywood flick Chennai Express was shot in a variety of beautiful locations across South India. Parts of it were shot in Devikulam, which is an idyllic hill station located about 8 km away from Munnar. A lot of it was also shot in Munnar. There are various scenes of Munnar’s winding roads, velvet lawns, and stunning landscapes in the film that have landed all the places to visit in Munnar in every traveler’s bucket list. Where was Jodha Akbar movie shot?
The blockbuster Bollywood film Jodha Akbar was shot at the Amer Fort. the film’s director Ashutosh Gowarikar wanted to showcase the rich heritage of Akbar’s kingdom in those days, so he decided to shoot the movie at an actual fort instead of a made-up set. The movie shows the true royal side of Rajasthan and its many forts and palaces. After the movie came out, these particular locations in Rajasthan, especially in Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Udaipur, became really popular and travelers from around the country came in to see their glory. Which movie was shot in Kodaikanal?
Various popular movies have been shot in Kodaikanal. Malayalam films like Manichitrathazhu as well as His Highness Abdulla have been shot at the famous Padmanabhapuram Palace in Kodaikanal. Which movies have been shot in Manali?
Famous movies like Jab We Met, Roja, Black, Fanaa, 3 Idiots, Bang Bang, Mary Kom, and Kkrish have been shot in Manali. Which movie was shot in Khajjiar?
Khajjiar provides beautiful backdrops for shooting in Himachal. The song ‘Ek ladki ko dekha to aisa laga’ from the Bollywood movie 1942: A Love Story was shot here. Which hotel was Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani shot in?
The second part of the movie Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani featuring wedding preparations has been shot at the opulent Oberoi Udaivilas located on the banks of Lake Pichola in Udaipur. Where was Koi Mil Gaya movie shot?
The movie Koi Mil Gaya has been shot in several hill stations across Uttarakhand like Kasauli, Nanital, and Bhimtal. Parts of the movie have also been shot in Canada.
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A journalism graduate with a love for reading, writing, and travel, Kiran has trekked through various offbeat paths in the Himalayas. She writes travel stories and indulges in landscape photography every now and then, which, considering where you’re reading this, makes perfect sense.
