Bollywood likes the scenery

SHOOTING INDIAN movies in `phoren' land. Did you know it has been happening as early as 1933? Producer Himanshu Rai's Karma was shot in London in 1933 and ever since, Indian producers have been visiting those shores regularly. So much so, Britain becomes nearly yet another character in Indian movies.

We know `Jeans' was shot in a number of exotic foreign locales, but did you know Kandukondain Kandukondain was shot in Eilean Donan Castle in Donie, Scotland? Well, it was. Remember the sequence where Aishwarya floats by - a vision in white- against an ancient castle? That is the one. The castle, close to the Isle of Skye, has also provided no less a dramatic setting for Rani Mukerji in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kajol in `Kuch Khati Kuch Meethi'.

Just unfold the British Travel Authority's (BTA) latest handout, the Bollywood movie map in Britain and you will find out how hot Britain is in Bollywood. Even as cameras pan across scenic locales, the desi Canning industry, it is clear, simply loves Britain. Here is a new USP then: Exploring Britain in the footsteps of your favourite Bollywood stars and your favourite films.

One of the earliest Bollywood movies to familiarise Indians with the English countryside was Yash Chopra's Lamhe, starring Anil Kapoor and Sri Devi, says the BTA, now actively wooing Indian travellers. Aditya Chopra followed this up, with the now popular Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge and for a lot of Indians it was nearly an open-top bus ride across the tourist spots of Britain.

Can we forget Shekar Kapur's award winning Elizabeth, filmed at Durham Cathedral and several castles in Northumberland. The BTA brochure indicates that more than 20 movies have been shot in picturesque locales in England over the past few years, but there are also Bollywood classics, films of the 60s, 70s and 80s that were also canned there. For instance, Raj Kapoor's Love Triangle saga, Sangam in 1964, Manoj Kumar's Purab aur Paschim in 1970 followed by Feroz Khan's mega hit Qurbani ten years later.

Evergreen hero Dev Saab, is supposed to have used locales primarily in and around England for his movies. His 1998 flick Main Solah Baras Ki, though takes a round tour of prime spots in England and Scotland. Among the golden oldies, there are also a couple of Amitabh Bachchan starrers, Suhaag (with Rekha) and Naseeb (with Hema Malini).

By Ramya Kannan

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Entertainment
Previous : A live link with fans
Next     : The star-next-door