New Delhi: For centuries, the charm and aura of Delhi, has bowled over many. The culmination of modernity and history in the same place has made the city a favourite amongst filmmakers in the recent past. We bring to you a list of some of the movies which have managed to capture the essence of New Delhi:
Delhi-6: As the name itself suggests, this Rakyesh Omprakash Mehra venture, was shot almost entirely in the capital. The Red Fort among several other locations of Delhi was a part of the movie’s
cinematography. The Red Fort is an essential part of Delhi’s history as it was home to the Mughal emperor of India for nearly 200 years, until 1857.
The fort was constructed in 1648 by Shahjahan and has since then, played host to several Bollywood movies, including ‘Fanaa’, ‘Aahista Aahista’ , ‘Love aaj kal’ etc.
Kurbaan: The 2009 movie, starring Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor was extensively shot in New Delhi. The melodious song “Shukran Allah” had several stills of the exquisite Jama Masjid complex. The Jama Masjid is the largest mosque in India and is considered to be one of the holiest places of worship for Muslims around the globe. The mosque has the capacity to hold 25,000 devotees at a time.
Movies like ‘Delhi-6’, and the much awaited’ Bajrangi Bhaijan’ also feature the Jama Masjid.
Mere Brother ki Dulhan: This romantic comedy was shot across several locales of New Delhi. The Katrina Kaif- Imran Khan starrer movie’s song ‘ Choomantar’ was almost entirely shot at the Humayun’s Tomb. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the tomb was built in 1565 A.D,by his senior widow Bega Begam nine years after the death of Humayun.
The monument has been a favourite amongst filmmakers over the years. Movies like ‘ Kurbaan’, ‘Jhoom barabar jhoom’, ‘ Aisha’, ‘Veer Zara’ , ‘Fanaa’ etc have also been shot here.
PK: The very controversial Raj Kumar Hirani movie, was shot as a lot of locations around Delhi, including the Dilli Haat. This permanent, open air cultural market constituting of the several cultural traditions of India is located in South Delhi, and has been a hub for cultural performances and exhibitions, in the recent past. Dilli Haat has for long been a center for the promotion and emancipation of the handicrafts and handloom industry.
Certain scenes of the movie ‘Fanaa’ were also shot here.
Band Baaja Baarat: The young movie was about two Delhi University students who want to make it big in their lives. Marking the debut of Ranveer Singh, this movie was extensively shot at the University of Delhi. Featuring Hansraj College, Miranda House and Kirorimal College, the authenticity of the movie was kept intact in the way that it included several students who weren’t actors, but actual students.
Delhi University has been a favourite amongst filmmakers. Movies including ‘ Rockstar’, ‘Dil Dosti etc’ , ‘Dev D’, ‘Fukrey’, ‘Do Dooni Chaar’ etc have also been shot in and around the University.
Vicky Donor: The Ayushman Khurana starrer comedy has been shot all over Delhi. The song which made Ayushman a household name, ‘ Pani Da Rang’ was shot partly at Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. A sacred place for the Sikhs, the Gurudwara is located in the heart of Connaught Place. The monument is probably the most sacred place of worship for Sikhs in Delhi.
Bhaag Milkha Bhaag: This biographical sports drama film about Milkha Singh, starring Farhan Akhtar as the world reknowned runner, also had prominent parts which were shot at the Jawahar Lal Nehru stadium. The Jawahar Lal Nehru stadium is a multipurpose sports arena which hosts various large scale sporting events. A sequence featuring Farhan Akhtar running a race, has been shot at this stadium.
Rockstar: This movie about a Delhi lad rising to fame and attaining the status of a ‘Rockstar’, was shot in several locations across the Capital. The most notable amongst these locations is probably the Nizamuddin Dargah, where Janardan Jhakar’s ( Ranbir Kapoor) singing during the soulful ‘ Kun Faya Kun’ is first noticed and subsequently, rewarded.The dargah of the Sufi saint Hazrat Nizamuddin, is considered to be an extremely sacred place of worship for people of all religions and faiths..
‘Jhoom barabar jhoom’ also had portions which were shot at the Dargah.
Chak De India: The Shah Rukh Khan starrer blockbuster was based in Delhi and thus certain sequences that were shot in the city. The title track of the movie, begins with a shot of the iconic India Gate. Over the years, India gate has become synonymous to Delhi. The India Gate is a war memorial which is flanked by the ‘Amar Jawan Jyoti’ at all times, as a mark of reverence and respect to the martyrs of te country.
Other movies including ‘Aisha’, ‘Rang De Basanti’, ‘Band Baaja Baarat’, ‘ No one killed Jessica’, etc also star this historic monument.
Rang De Basanti: This soul stirring movie features the Indian Habitat Center in one of its initial scenes. The Indian Habitat Center was established in 1993, and has since then, been a center for social and cultural events which are organised for the overall awareness of the society. The Habitat Center plays host to the “Delhi Photo Festival” and the “ Old World Theatre Festival” held almost every year.
Dev D: This modern-day take on Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's classic Bengali novel Devdas, directed by Anurag Kashyap was shot in the red light area of Paharganj. The movie starring Abhay Deol, Kalki Koelchin and Mahi Gill was critically acclaimed for its realistic performances and locations. The Paharganj area of Delhi, was known as Shahganj during the Mughal period. Reknowned for its cheap and affordable hotels and motels this area is a paradise for low budget travellers.
Kate Winslet stayed in a Paharganj hotel during her shooting schedule in India for the movie ' Holy Smoke'
Bewkoofiyan: This recent romantic comedy directed by Nupur Asthana had stills which were shot at the Connaught Place. The song ‘Khamakhaan’ from this movie, starring Sonam Kapoor and Ayushman Khurana has been particularly shot here. For years, Connaught Place or CP, as it is fondly called, has been one of the most important financial, commercial and business centres in New Delhi. CP occupies a large portion of central Delhi and is also counted amongst one of Delhi’s most important heritage sites.
Other movies like ‘ Dil se’ and ‘ Rockstar’ also have certain portions which were shot at CP
Wazir: The much anticipated Amitabh Bacchan- Farhan Akhtar starrer has portions which have been shot at the Hauz Khas fort of Delhi. The duo was seen shooting at this historical monument a few months back. The Hauz Khas complex is an Islamic structure, the origins of which can be traced back to the 13th century of the Mughal empire. The picturesque monument houses a water tank and a mosque among several pavilions.
Certain scenes of 'Rockstar' and 'Lakshya' have also been shot here.
Fanaa: The Yashraj production, was shot mainly in Delhi. Fanaa took several of Delhi's most famous locations and monuments into its purview, one of them being the Qutub Minar. The Qutub Minar is said to be the second tallest Minar in the country. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Minar is made up of red sandstone and marble. Qutub Minar has been damaged by natural calamities at more than one occassion, but has been repaired and renovated every time.
'Cheeni Kam', ' Black and White' etc also have portions which were shot at the Qutub Minar.
Pyaar ka Punchnama: The romantic comedy starring a bunch of new faces, was shot almost entirely at locations in and around Delhi and Gurgaon. The movie has stills of the DLF Cyber Hub, Gurgaon. The Cyber Hub is a corporate park which houses several offices and eateries.
Jhoom Barabar Jhoom: This multistarrer movie was shot across several locations of Delhi. One of these many locations being the Agrasen ki Baoli. The Baoli is a steppedwell with 103 stairs and is included under the monuments protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. The Baoli is situated on Hailey Road near Connaught Place and has apparently no proof of its origin.
The recent Aamir Khan starrer 'PK' was also shot at Agrasen ki Baoli.
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