WHAT A ROMANTIC SPOT!

A few of Bollywood’s favourite locations for love songs and scenes

Kashmir

From Kashmir ki kali hoon main in the 1961 release Junglee, to Maine ek khwab sa dekha hai in Waqt (1965), Yeh chaand sa roshan chehra in Kashmir Ki Kali (1964) and songs in Daag (1973) and Kabhi Kabhie (1976), Kashmir with its gardens (Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh and others), Dal Lake and beautiful landscape has been a favourite for many Bollywood directors, including the ‘king of romance’ Yash Chopra.

Europe, especially Switzerland

In films like Love In Tokyo (the song Sayonara is set in Tokyo’s Hibiya Park) Indian filmmakers had already travelled out of the country. But it is Yash Chopra whose name has become synonymous with songs shot in Switzerland and Europe. It started with Dekha ek khwab (in the 1980 release Silsila) shot in Netherland’s tulip fields. Followed by Chandni in Switzerland, Lamhe in UK and Dil Toh Pagal Hai in Germany. Switzerland especially became for years a must for romantic shoots even for other filmmakers.

Brindavan Gardens, Mysore

From the 1966 release Suraj to the more recent Raja Hindustani, songs for many films have been shot here. Many other gardens, such as Lodhi Garden in Delhi, the botanical gardens near Calcutta, Pinjore Gardens or Yadavindra Gardens, Haryana and the Botanical Gardens in Ooty have served as locations for film songs.

A Small Town Affair

Films have been based in many small towns in the past few years. From Shuddh Desi Romance (Jaipur) to Bareilly Ki Barfi, Stree and Sui Dhaaga (Chanderi) – the lanes of small-town India reflect the rosy hue of many romances. The affair continues, but as film historian Gautam Chintamani says, it’s not a novelty factor anymore.