Embark on an exciting set-jetting journey to uncover the enchanting filming locations of your most cherished films in the vibrant city of Kolkata and the picturesque hill station of Darjeeling. From the Hooghly River to heritage boarding schools, immerse yourself in these iconic film backdrops' rich history and cultural significance, and delve into a truly immersive experience that will leave you with lasting memories.
You can't say you have done Kolkata if you haven't spent time by the Hooghly river that threads through the city. The best way to experience it is to walk the ghats. The most beautiful among these is Prinsep Ghat built in 1843 in the memory of James Prinsep, an English scholar and officer of the East India Company famous for deciphering the Brahmi script on the stone edicts of Emperor Ashoka in 1837. The picuresque white memorial with its majestic Gothic columns, Palladian entrances and fluted Ionian columns served as a backdrop to the song Piyu Bole in the 2005 film Parineeta which had Saif Ali Khan and Vidya Balan. The view is stunning from here with the shimmering river flowing in front, the Vidyasagar Setu towering above, and the iconic Howrah Bridge to the right.
Flowing to the west of Kolkata, the Hooghly River is the name for the last stretch of the Ganga River before it flows out to the Bay of Bengal. The river had a key role in the making of modern Indian history, trade and commerce. Dotted with several ghats and jetties, the river has been the backdrop for many film scenes. One of the most memorable is in the film Amar Prem where Rajesh Khanna sings the famous song "Chingari koi bhadke" to Sharmila Tagore in a boat over the Hooghly river at dusk
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1999, is a stunning example of India's rich rail history. This narrow gauge railway, known as Asia's oldest, stretches across 88 kilometres of breathtaking landscapes, offering travellers an unforgettable journey through the majestic Himalayas. As part of the Mountain Railways of India, it is a testament to the country's remarkable engineering and cultural heritage. In the iconic 1969 film "Aradhana," there is a memorable scene on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway where Sharmila Tagore is calmly reading a book while Rajesh Khanna follows the train, singing the famous song "Mere Sapno Ki Rani." This scene is widely recognised and has become an enduring part of Indian cinema history.
Set against the breathtaking Kanchenjunga, St. Paul’s stands as the nation's second-oldest educational institution. This iconic school was the mesmerising backdrop for the blockbuster hit "Main Hoon Na," featuring Shah Rukh Khan. Referred to as "the Eton of the East," this esteemed boarding school has a storied history, with its students demonstrating valour in both the First and Second World Wars. Its remarkable architecture and unique location have served as the setting for numerous iconic movie shoots, from the timeless Raj Kapoor film "Mera Naam Joker" to "Main Hoon Naa".