Bollywood has a special connection with Himachal Pradesh

हिमांचल ….

ये प्रकृति की अनुपम छटा  

ये सूरज की लालिमा के ऊपर छायी घटा 

ये घटता बादलों का सवालां रंग 

और ये झींगुरों की धुन एक संग 

ये कल – कल छल – छल बहते पानी का सुर…….

सूरज को अपने आँचल छिपाती गिरियों की गहराई 

और अब है हर पर्वत चाँद की चांदनी छायी 

हर पर्वत ने ओढ़ी है चुनार चांदनी की 

लगता है जैसे घूँघट में छिपी हो सूरत किसी रानी की 

जहाँ की बहती हवाएँ भी हो इतनी चंचल .

ये था मेरी आँखों देखा हिमो का घर हिमांचल .

                            -Anonymous

This beautiful poem by an anonymous writer made me realized that if you want to visit heaven, then do visit Himachal. The scenic locations, the alluring mountains, the flowing river, the Spiti valley, the lakes, and the captivating snow-covered roads. Yes! Our very own Himachal-a Dev Bhoomi and home of divine power are suffused. With the world’s best breathtaking locations where every wanderer loves to wander. As soon as we reach Himachal a feeling of ecstasy and bliss runs into our veins. Especially, the salubrious climate and unbelievable mystic aura of the Himalayas. All these things make Himachal stand disparate from other states.

The jaw-dropping beauty of Himachal has always fantasized about Bollywood for ages. Undoubtedly, Bollywood has always explored unexplored destinations in Himachal Pradesh and gave their movies a new look. Coined after the Sanskrit word ‘HIM’, which means snow, Himachal is known as ‘Abode of God’.A place where God itself arrived and blessed the state with utmost artistry and beauty. If there is an end of beauty or the last definition of exquisiteness, then Himachal will stand in the first place. The hill station of Himachal including Shimla, Dharmashala, Kasauli, Dalhousie, Khajjar, Kullu, Manali, and Chamba made Himachal a complete package of adventure.

Bollywood Films Shooted In Himachal :

Due to its beauty and allurement, Himachal gave a path to all the film producing states to come and shoot films in the ‘Dev-Bhumi’. Since, the last five years, Himachal has been used as one of the most important storylines of a plot in movies and it also played a special significance in the lives of characters portrayed in the movie. Not just a climax scene, but an item song has also been shot in various bewitching locations of Himachal.

For instance, one of the popular songs from the movie ‘Bang Bang’, was shot in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. The first half of the movie was shot in Shimla and it played an essential role in the movie. The movie was directed by Siddharth Anand and produced by Rakesh Roshan. Some of the romantic scenes between Hrithik and Katrina were also being shot in Shimla. In another incident from the movie ‘3 Idiots’ starring Amir Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Sharman Joshi, and R.Madhvan, are shot in Town Hall, Takka Bench Shimla, and Jakhu.

How can you forget the ‘Chulbuli’ Geet from ‘Jab We Met? Some of the important scenes of the movie were shot at Rohtang Pass, Himachal. Also, became one of the biggest hits of 2007 which made Geet, one of the favorite characters of young girls. So, if you are planning a trip to Himachal, then do visit the favorite destination of Geet including, Shimla, Rohtang Pass, and Manali.

Ye haseen wadiyan song from Roja:

ये हसीं वादियां, ये खुला आसमां

आ गये हम कहाँ, ऐ मेरे साजना

इन बहारों में दिल की कली खिल गयी

मुझको तुम जो मिले हर खुशी मिल गयी

 

This famous song from the 1992 blockbuster hit movie ‘Roja’, immortalized the beauty of Himachal in his own words. Some parts of the movie were shot in Baramulla of Kashmir. But due to security issues, most parts in Kullu and Manali. The movie was a super-duper hit of its time. Moreover, given a path to other directors of Bollywood to shoot the main part of their movies in Himachal.

‘Gadar-Ek Prem Katha’ :

उड़जा काले कावाँ, तेरे मुँह विच खण्ड पावाँ 

लेजा तू संदेशा मेरा, मै सदके जावाँ

बाग़ों में फिर झूले पड़ गये 

पक गई मिठियाँ अम्बियाँ 

ये छोटी सी ज़िन्दगी के, राता लम्बियाँ लम्बियाँ

ओ घर आजा परदेसी के तेरी मेरी इक जिन्दडी

Set up on the background of the India-Pakistan partition, this 2001 movie ‘Gadar-Ek Prem Katha’, starring Sunny Deol and Amisha Patel broke all the records of that time. Although the subject of the movie was serious and not romantic, it covers the love story of a Hindu man and a Muslim girl who met during partition and later married. But they couldn’t save themselves from the bitter reality of partition and separated from each other. In the end, they overcome all the hurdles and consequences and unite. This popular song from the movie was shot at Sacred Heart School in Dalhousie. Some part of this song was also shot at Bishop Cotton, Shimla. Another song of the movie ‘Main Nikla Gaddi Leke’ was shot in Gaiety Theatre Shimla and who else can forget the feel of ‘Masti’ while listening to this song.

Not just movies, so many celebrities from the Bollywood industry belong from the beautiful state Himachal. For instance, late Divya Bharti, Preity Zinta, Kangana Ranaut, Tisca Chopra, Anupam Kher, Mohit Chauhan, and Yami Gautam. These celebrities from Himachal made their mark in Bollywood cinema with their talent.

No matter what, Himachal will always be the first choice for Bollywood filmmakers and they will always return to this magnificent abode of God!