Bollywood movies have always been our ideal escape from the monotony of everyday life. We are curiously liberated and transported into a world of elegance, imagination and pleasure during our two or three hours in the air-conditioned enclosure of a theatre. Even now, when we watch a movie on OTT, it transports us to that world, even when we’re comfortably seated in our couches.
This delight can only be likened to packing your bags and exploring these new places that take you to a world of leisure, relaxation and new experiences!
Bollywood movies, on the other hand, are more than fun! How many times have you seen a film without being captivated by the fascinating settings and the perfect landscapes in which they are shot? Sometimes it’s not the storytelling, the actors or the screen entertainment that we fall in love with, but the beautiful landscapes and destinations that we wish we could see at least once in our lifetime. In addition, sometimes it is road trips that draw our hearts.
On National Tourism Day, here are some Bollywood movies that are sure to inspire you and inspire you to travel, explore and celebrate life in the places where they were filmed:
Dil Chahta Hai
A film that set new standards and motivated a whole new generation to visit Goa! Everyone who saw this fantastic 2001 film felt compelled to pack their bags and embark on a road trip to Goa with their buddies. This region, with its beautiful beaches, palm-lined coastlines, delicious Goan cuisine, friendly locals, iconic churches and laid-back beach towns, quickly became a favorite with young people and remains to this day. Along with Goa, the film also showed Sydney, Australia, and provided many of us with our first glimpse of Sydney Opera House and the interesting performance of ‘opera’. This brilliantly shot film not only showed classic sights of Goa and Sydney, but it also examined the great bond of friendship! Plus, who can forget the iconic position of Akash, Sameer, and Sid at Chapora Fort?
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
3 friends, 1 trip, 1 EPIC adventure! This film, about three friends embarking on a bachelor party and gradually overcoming their worries, introduced us to the beautiful nation of Spain. Their journey from Barcelona to the Costa Brava, then through Buñol to Seville, and finally Pamplona brought to light some of the greatest sights and spectacular vistas seen in recent years. Their scuba diving, skydiving, and exciting “Bull Run” and “La Tomatina” festivals have provided visitors with important adventurous goals to achieve in Spain. ‘Seize the day my friend! Pehle Is Din Ko Poori Tarah Jiyo, Phir Chalis Ke Bare Mein Sochna’ – One of the film’s many motivational monologues brilliantly underlined the need to live life to the fullest every day! This film made Spain one of the most popular travel destinations for Indians.
Queen
This film reinvented solo travel and provided many women traveling alone with the much-needed boost! “Queen” demonstrated that it’s okay to travel alone and that your experiences can transform you into a better person the more you find yourself. Queen tells the story of Rani (beautifully played by Kangna Ranaut), who is dumped by her fiancee a day before her wedding; nevertheless, instead of feeling sorry for herself, she makes the risky decision to embark on her honeymoon vacation alone. She visits Paris and Amsterdam, and by falling in love with these beautiful cities, she also learns to love herself! The same “Eiffel Tower” that alarms her and brings back unpleasant memories later enchants and overwhelms her as she admires its magnificent view at night. This film has shown us that sometimes the excursions we take alone are some of the most beautiful experiences of our lives, taking us to the quaint back streets of Paris, Amsterdam and even Delhi.
Tamasha
What happens in Corsica is kept in Corsica! This film presented the perfect panoramas of Corsica, and India fell in love! The stunning surroundings and mesmerizing views were enough to convince us to visit this beautiful French island. We couldn’t believe an island could be so perfect: dazzling blue oceans, dazzling bays, breathtaking landscapes, rich flora, jagged hills and, most importantly, a distinct culture brimming local flavors and medieval charm. It seemed like the perfect getaway for the film’s main protagonists, as well as the perfect vacation spot for anyone who saw it! The film also included a touching song about the cultural hub of Delhi, the Hauz Khas region. Amazingly, the female protagonist character was inspired to visit Corsica by the classic comic, Asterix in Corsica. Now is the time to follow in the footsteps of “Tamasha” and explore the breathtaking island that is Corsica!
Karwan
Avinash, a disgruntled computer scientist, learns of his father’s death in a car accident. Due to a mix-up, Avinash receives the body of an elderly lady who perished in the same bus tragedy. Accordingly, Avinash and his friend Shaukat embarked on a road trip from Bangalore to Kochi. They take a few detours along the way, first to pick up the old lady’s carefree and rebellious granddaughter in Coimbatore, then at a friend’s wedding to deliver a package before arriving in Kochi. Karwaan is a lighthearted tale that takes you on an unexpected journey through South India, complete with soothing music and beautiful green landscapes. You will see the splendor of Ooty, the ocean surrounding the roads of Kerala and the lakes of Thrissur. All in all, this film is a complete meal for a wandering hunger.
Piku
Piku has impacted our hearts in a way we had no idea was possible! It depicts a tumultuous yet charming father-daughter relationship against the backdrop of contemporary and hectic Delhi and the quaint yet picturesque city of Kolkata. Rarely has a film ticked all the boxes in terms of an interesting story, strong chemistry between its performers, and gorgeous imagery that gradually transcends the story and becomes the essence of the film. The road trip from Delhi to Kolkata tests the patience of the main protagonists while bringing them together in the end. Interlude in Varanasi not only examines the calm allure of the spiritual city, but also provides the perfect environment for a heart-to-heart conversation between the main protagonists. Finally, the city of Kolkata, with its old-fashioned colonial elegance, manages to take our breath away, and we can thank Piku the Movie for that!
Qarib Qarib Single
Yogi and Jayashree are diametrically opposite like the north and south poles. In their rush to find love, the two join a dating app. On their first date after online dating, Yogi’s bad sense of humor irritates Jaya and makes her realize she’s gotten herself into major trouble. Yogi, on the other hand, tells Jaya about his three ex-girlfriends and how they still long for him. To demonstrate this, Yogi persuades Jaya to embark on a road trip across India from Bikaner to Gangtok. They struggle to get along because of their polar personalities, which leads to some incredibly funny situations during their strange love journey. ‘Qarib Qarib Singlle’ is a short travel guide that takes you on a tour of some of India’s most amazing sites. You’ll experience Rajasthani hospitality in Bikaner and Alwar, the adventures of Dehradun and Rishikesh, and the calm of Gangtok, along with a charming and not-so-cliched tale of love.