The King of Bollywoord, Shahrukh Khan's appeal transcends borders, nationalities, and classes. Around the time of Shahrukh Khan’s 58th birthday, we have curated a list of places fans of King Khan must visit. From a movie theatre in Mumbai that still runs a show of one of his blockbuster films to the tea gardens of Darjeeling, here's the ultimate SRK tribute trail.
Khan’s mega-blockbuster, “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” (1995), holds a unique record—the film has never been removed and runs a show every day in the Maratha Mandir theatre of Mumbai. The screenings of DDLJ have been continuously going on for 27 years now. The show starts at 11:30 am every day in a hall of about fifty per cent occupancy without fail. Fans from all over the place turn up to witness the evergreen romantic tale of their idol on the big screen. The phenomenon attracts spectators across generations and classes.
A show at the Maratha Mandir, therefore, makes for a perfect pilgrimage for every SRK fan. Maratha Mandir also happens to be one of the oldest cinema halls in Mumbai. The place has witnessed the release and screenings of iconic films like “Mughal-e-Azam” (1960) and “Lagaan” (2001).
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Address: 22, M M Marg, RBI Staff Colony, Mumbai Central, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400008
Khan’s palatial house, Mannat, is an iconic attraction in the city of dreams. Many people visit and take pictures outside his home. However, on his birthdays, hundreds of thousands of fans flood the streets to show their love and blessings for him and get, in return, a glance at their idol when he comes out and waves, going on to take a selfie with his fans. Fans eagerly wait to become a part of his iconic birthday selfie that then goes on to his social media.
SRK also always aspired to buy Villa Vienna, now known as Mannat. As a pleasant coincidence, SRK was filmed in a song sequence from the film "Yes Boss" (1997) with the backdrop of Villa Vienna where the lyrics said, "Dil ka yeh kanwal khile, sone ka mahal mile" (There's a desire in the heart, to have a golden palace).
Mustard fields, as seen in movies like "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge," are typically found in the northern regions of India, specifically in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. These fields bloom during the winter, from mid-February to mid-March, and are known for their bright yellow hue. The yellow colour of the mustard fields is often associated with the festival of Basant, spring, and love.
You can visit these fields during the blooming season and recreate the iconic SRK scene from "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge" by standing with your arms outstretched, holding a mandolin, dressed in a black leather jacket, and wearing a white-feathered fedora on your head.
"Chennai Express" (2013) had a scene shot with the majestic Dudhsagar Falls in the background. The film is a light-hearted romantic comedy and Khan was brilliant in his role.
A visit to the Dudhsagar Falls will be both a fan indulgence as well as a discovery in travel. Located on 60 km from Panaji, the Dudhsagar Falls are a great natural wonder. They are one of the tallest waterfalls in India at a height of 1,017 ft and 100 ft in width. The best time to visit is during the monsoon season when the water here looks like milk, giving it the name "Dudhsagar."
Released in 2004, the film "Veer Zara" was among Yash Chopra's last projects with Shahrukh Khan—a great actor-director duo. The film was partially based in Amritsar and portrayed the local lifestyle and culture brilliantly. In a scene, Veer, played by Khan, is seen at the Attari-Wagah Border.
Wagah is a small town at the India-Pakistan border, only 27 km from Amritsar in India and 29 km from Lahore in Pakistan. It is famous for its flag-lowering ceremony that attracts many spectators who actively participate in patriotic fervour by waving flags and chanting slogans. The Wagah Border area has numerous stalls selling patriotic souvenirs, making it a favourite destination for souvenir shopping. It's recommended to arrive early to secure a good viewing spot for the daily evening ceremony before sunset, as there is usually a massive turnout of visitors.
Directed by Aziz Mirza, "Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman" (1992) was shot in the verdant landscapes of Darjeeling. It is a romantic comedy drama where SRK played the protagonist, Raju. An intriguing extra-cinematic fact about the film is that it released when Khan was yet to be famous, and the producer Vaswani convinced established actress Juhi Chawla to play the female lead by promising that Khan was the "next Aamir Khan".
Darjeeling, the Land of the Celestial Thunderbolt, comes out brilliantly in the film. Fans can visit the place and stroll around the film's shooting locations indulging in fandom. The place offer great views of Kanchenjunga Mountains. A popular spot is the Tiger Hill from where you can see the first rays of the sun on Mt Everest. Another attraction not to miss is the Darjeeling toy-train, A UNESCO World Heritage Site completed by the British in 1881.