Bollywood too is enchanted with London. Over one hundred Bollywood films have been shot in London and central London has been a backdrop for most. I remember seeing Tower Bridge, Hyde Park, and Buckingham Palace in a few films. This city of dreams has helped our filmmakers in their quest for showing not just endless romance but a lot of everything else coming between heartbreaks and adventures. London’s breathtaking skyline, vibrant streets, iconic landmarks, and even its multi-cultural milieu has woven a brand of celluloid magic that lingers in the hearts of millions.
From Raj and Simran from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) to Rahul and Anjali from Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), the picturesque and stunning stances of London have turned this city into an aspiration for future tourists from India. Namastey London (2007), Cocktail (2012), Queen (2014), Love Aaj Kal (2009), Jab Tak hai Jaan (2012), and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016) are a few other Bollywood films that have turned to London for shooting certain parts here.
Naaz (1954) was the earliest film to feature London and followed by Night in London (1967), The Great Gambler (1979), and Aankhen (1968) include films that showed not just romance but had espionage, drama, and stylish cinematography… an opportunity to showcase London’s nightlife, bridges, and classic car chases!
Purab Aur Paschim (1970), Des Pardes (1978), and Chhoti Si Baat (1976) were films that were depending neither on glamour and romance nor on the thriller content of the story. These films reflected the Indian diaspora’s dreams and dilemmas, the clash of cultures, and the timeless allure of a city that has captivated filmmakers as well as filmgoers from India.
I have watched most of these movies and loved the sort of London they went on to show us. While considering writing this post, I first thought of giving it a title that had Bollywood mixed into the words and here are a few that my brainstorming led me to. I have included the literal translations as well.
London Meri Jaan – a city that stole Indian hearts
Pyaar Ka Naya Nazariya (A new perspective on love)
Taj Se Tower Bridge Tak (From the Taj to Tower Bridge)
Big Ben Ke Saaye Mein (Under the shadow of Big Ben)
Ek Shahr Jo Kabhie Bhoolta Nahin (An unforgettable city)
Pardes Mein Bhi Apnapan (Feels like home even in a foreign city)
London as a backdrop in a short story or a novel authored by an Indian can evoke a reader’s imagination, but everyone isn’t a reader. This is where films step in and they have catalyzed a major spike in tourism. A film shot in Manali or Srinagar or Mussoorie has invariably led to hordes of people packing their bags to drive to these cities for short vacations. It has been the same with Kerala, Mysore, Goa, Pondicherry, Andamans, and the Northeast. People follow their favorite actors wherever they go. This could be the reason many Indian tourists love romantic strolls along the Thames, making dramatic confessions in their reels near Big Ben, click selfies in Cafes. They search for and walk the same streets as their favorite stars do in films, recreate twirls and dance moves in parks and on bridges, and love going shopping in oxford Street just like Priyanka Chopra did in some film that I do not recollect now. Indian tourists cannot leave London without first having been to Piccadilly Circus, walked around Notting Hill, and shuffled aimlessly on the Tower Bridge. I have a suggestion for London Tourism – turn a few key spots into Bollywood Pilgrimage Sites.
The Indian tourist cannot do without Bollywood and London, therefore, needs to keep its bond with Indian films robust.
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Arvind Passey
Uploaded on 07 April 2025
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