Globe-trotting through Bollywood!

Globe-trotting through Bollywood!

The role of media & entertainment is huge in our day-to-day life, with Bollywood having the biggest impact. The impact of Bollywood is not just through its plots and larger-than-life stars, but also because of the exotic locations scenes are shot in. Hindi films thus act as a tourism guide for Indians, who like to travel and explore the world. 

Raj Kapoor’s `Sangam` (1964), which was the first movie to be shot abroad, brought about a new trend in the Hindi film industry. A significant portion of the movie was shot in Europe. Till then, people only saw foreign locations on posters and in newspapers. After Sangam, many movies provided audiences a treat for their eyes by showcasing beautiful foreign locations. Audiences now started connecting with foreign locations as much as with the stars.

 

Yash Chopra took picturisation of foreign locales to a different level. Through his movie `Silsila` (1981), an entire generation of Bollywood fans was exposed to Netherlands' Tulip Gardens. Indians sat in awe as they watched their favourite stars Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha amidst the astoundingly beautiful floral landscape.

Over a period of time, not just songs, but large portions of the film itself were shot abroad.

Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995), shot in amazing locales in Europe, become a travel inspiration for Indians. DDLJ, another film from the Yash Raj stable, became a trend setter.  The second half of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s `Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam` (1999) was shot in Hungary. The film however showed it as Italy, but I guess no one was complaining. Hindi films were only reflecting the post-liberalization mood of the country, wanting to fly out of its comfort zone to explore new places, new cuisine and new culture. Audiences lapped up the trend and went to theatres for tourism exploring and not just `star gazing`. 

If Yash Chopra focused on Europe in the '90s, Karan Johar, the `chocolate director`, gave audiences a ringside view of the fascinating United States Of America (USA). He chose the USA to shoot Kal Ho Naa Ho, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, Ek Main Aur Ek Tu, Dostana and My Name is Khan. Audiences got a taste of the amazing New York and other fabulous destinations in the US. Thanks to Karan Johar, Indians now started receiving some interesting tourism education outside of Europe too. 

Movies like Rockstar (Prague), Jab Tak hai Jaan (England), Dil Chahta Hai (Australia), New York (New York and Philadelphia), Bachna Ae Haseeno ( Australia, Italy, Greece and Switzerland), PK (Belgium), Ek Tha tiger ( Cuba, Turkey and Ireland), Players (New Zealand and Russia), Agent Vinod (Morocco), and Shivaay (Bulgaria) expanded audiences' tourism horizons.
 

Bollywood did not just stop at shooting in exotic foreign locales. It went one step further by incorporating travel as a theme. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011) is a story about three friends who go on a Spanish holiday. The film-makers collaborated with the Spain Tourim Board and presented an amazing movie, which was shot over 200 destinations in Spain.
Dil Dhadkne Do (2015) was largely shot on a cruise. It brought alive yet another facet of travel. It inspired audiences to look beyond conventional modes of travel.

According to an article on the Internet, India will account for 50 million outbound tourists by 2020 (source: http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/number-of-indians-travelling-abroad-to-double-by-2020-118010700295_1.html).

It is anybody's guess how many people in the country make their international travel plans after watching a Bollywood blockbuster. But one thing is for sure, Bollywood has brought distant and expensive travel destinations much closer home for just a few hundred rupees.

Image courtesy: Google Images.