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Kolkata – a city that breathes nostalgia and cultural richness through its old heritage buildings, has been quite a preferred backdrop for various Bollywood movies. From award-winning directors like Mira Nair, Mani Ratnam and Imtiaz Ali, the scenic beauty of Kolkata and elements of Bengali culture have been woven into their films, enriching the storytelling with a unique dimension.
Time and again, by featuring the iconic Howrah Bridge, Victoria Memorial, Bow Barracks and the by-lanes of north Kolkata, directors, through their narratives, have attempted to highlight not only the city’s architectural beauty but also its rich cultural heritage and festivals, giving viewers a glimpse into the soul of Kolkata. Cut to recent times, we are witnessing more and more directors shooting their films in Kolkata in an attempt to enrich their period dramas with the finesse of Bengali lifestyle and culture.
Here are 7 Hindi Bollywood films shot in Kolkata that Things2do recommends:
1Maidaan by Amit Ravindranath Sharma
Image Credit: Bollywood Hungama
Most of the film was shot in Kolkata and the former French colony of Chandanageore, Maidaan is a biographical masterpiece for all football buffs. Starring Ajay Devgan in the lead role of Syed Abdul Rahim, who has been known for taking the Indian National Football team to heights during the Summer Olympics of 1952 held at Helsinki. This movie documents the golden era of Indian Football and glorifies the trio of P.K. Banerjee, Chunni Goswami and Tulsidas Balaram who helped India win the gold at Jakarta. The story of Syed Abdul being the underdog, fighting lung cancer while coaching the team, is sure to bring a tear or two in our eyes, what is called the Aristotelian ‘catharsis’.
2Bulbul by Anvita Dutt
Image Credit: Social Media
With its setting straight out of an old Bengali classic, like that of Ray, Bulbul – a must-watch Netflix period horror film, was shot in the iconic Rajbari Bawali. Considered a heritage property, this 300-year-old building has been able to capture the essence of the 1880s Bengal presidency, precisely on which the movie was set. Through the horror that has been portrayed on screen, the director rightly unmasks the horrific social status of women in the late 19th century Zamindari rule. The semi-ruined state of Haveli of Rajbari with a neo-classical influence, hints at a dark history and justifies the theme of revenge that the movie revolves around.
3Piku by Shoojit Sircar
Image Credit: www.boxofficemovies.in
A film filled with witty dialogues, Piku, directed by Sircar, is a comedy-drama that revolves around the constant humourous banter between a father and daughter wherein Deepika Padukone plays the role of the daughter and Amitabh Bachchan the father- who is always constipated. This film showcases Kolkata’s iconic landmarks like Howrah Bridge, Shyambazar, Bishop Lefroy Road, Nonapukur Tram Depot, and parts of North Kolkata. The closing scene, with Irrfan returning in a yellow taxi and the sitar playing in the background, adds a bittersweet touch of nostalgia.
4Main Hoon Na By Farah Khan
Image Credit: indiancinema.sites.uiowa.edu
A must-watch movie featuring none other than King Khan, Main Hoon Khan emerged as a cult favourite for the 90s kids. Set against the backdrop of the shaky relations between India and Pakistan and the initiation of Project Milaap, the movie has been largely shot in St. Paul; ‘s School, Darjeeling. Darjeeling is a favoured travel destination among the Bengalis and rightly so because of the scenic hilly landscapes that are a treat to the eyes. The movie is quite iconic with Shah Rukh Khan playing the character of Major Ram Prasad Sharma and Sushmita Sen as Chandni Chopra whose red saree look has become a statement that continues to influence the fashion choices of Indian women today.
5Parineeta by Pradeep Sarkar
Image Credit: Bollywood Hungama
Among the movies that have romanticised the by-lanes of north Calcutta, Parineeta, a movie that rightly justifies Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s original novel, has been one of the finest portrayals of the old charm of north Kolkata. A significant portion of this film is filmed specifically at the James Princep Memorial. Yet, it has been able to beautifully contrast the old charm of the streets and the ganga ghats with the happening life of Park Street which was high profile. This 2005 film is set back in time of 1914 and features Vidya Balan and Saif Ali Khan in lead roles.
6Detective Byomkesh Bakshi by Dibakar Banerjee
Image Credit: greatbong.net
From featuring the iconic Coffee House, Bow Barracks, Presidency University, and Lalbazar, the detective action thriller is set against the very backdrop of 1940s Bengal. The movie beautifully portrays Babu culture, with men wearing traditional dhotis and also showcases the ubiquitous hand-pulled rickshaws of that time. Based on Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay’s Byomkesh Bakshi, the film takes you on a journey through a sensory experience that is definitely one of a kind.
7Lootera by Vikramaditya Motwane
Image Credit: Hamara Photos
Starring Ranveer Singh and Sonakshi Sinha, “Lootera” beautifully adapts O. Henry’s “The Last Leaf,” capturing the essence of real Bengali life. The film delves into lesser-known facets of Bengali culture, showcasing the tranquil Itachuna Rajbari Pond in Hooghly and the evocative ruins of the Jain Temples in Deulghata, Purulia. Its songs, set against the snowy backdrop of Kalatop in Dalhousie, add to the film’s rich visual narrative.
In addition to these, one of the new movies shot in Kolkata, Bhool Bhulaiya 3 by Anees Bazmee is set to release this year in November. Karthik Aryan was spotted shooting the horror-comic sequel in the iconic Howrah Bridge and fans have been excited ever since. While being one of the favourite muses of Bollywood directors, Kolkata has been able to become a character in itself in these movies whale shaping the narratives with emotions and stories.
Therefore, with more movies developing their storylines in the heart of Kolkata, we can rightly call Kolkata the Cultural Capital of India on the Big Screen.
While we’ve explored the city’s rich history and culture, if you want to know about its food, read more about the Top 5 Local Street Food That You Must Try In Kolkata.
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