In Bollywood movies, their are so many beautiful locations are portrayed which we always want to visit. Not many knows that sometimes to cut back on expenses the filmmakers’ Show us the beautiful locations of the film which is technically false. The filmmakers even shoot some foreign location in their movies but actually, these are not from the foreign locations. This is all the wonder of fake picturizations. Well, today we are going to tell you Bollywood movies which fooled us with their false movie locations:

1. Dabanng

The climax of this film Dabanng needed to be shot in Laalgunj Uttar Pradesh, as the film is based on the story of Uttar Pradesh. But Shocking part is most of the scenes of the film were shot near Pune, Maharashtra.

2. Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani

In the film Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani there was a scene in which a few companions go for a trek from Manali to a few pinnacles, yet in all actuality, the scene was shot in Gulmarg. Also, the movie producers made false Manali in Gulmarg.

3. Fanaa

The film had most beautiful sequences. These were said to have been Kashmir in the movie, but in reality, these scenes were shot in Poland.

4. Chennai Express

Chennai Express had many scenes which appear to be shot at Komban in Tamil Nadu, but apparently the real location was near Pune.

5. Bajrangi Bhaijaan

A large part of Bajrangi Bhaijaan is shown to be set in Pakistan but in reality the movie was shot in Kashmir.

6. Mary Kom

Omung Kumar reproduced parts of Manipur in Manali, Himachal Pradesh just to finish the shooting of the biopic of Mary Kom, appears as though it was troublesome for the group to reach to the Manali.

7. Phantom

The film Phantom coordinated by Kabir Khan made Pakistan in Malerkotla in Punjab. So the shooting of the motion picture occurred in Punjab however the narrative of the Phantom is based from Pakistan.

8. Bombay Velvet

Anurag Kashyap reproduced Mumbai in the 1960s and it was Mumbai however the executive presents it as Sri Lanka and this false picturization done just for the film Bombay Velvet. The whole shooting of the film was done on the beautiful island.

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The Great Switcheroo: 8 Bollywood Movies That Masterfully Fooled Us With Their ‘Fake’ Locations

Bollywood is a world of dreams, where romance blossoms on snowy peaks and action sequences explode in vibrant streets. But what if those picturesque locations, the very backdrops that fuel our wanderlust, were not where the movie claimed they were?

Filmmaking is an intricate dance of creativity, budget, and logistics. Often, for reasons of security, budget constraints, or simply the need to capture a specific, unadulterated visual, directors turn to a secret weapon: the geographical switcheroo. They transform a quiet village in Maharashtra into a South Indian metropolis, or a chilly Polish mountain range into the valley of Kashmir.

Here are 8 iconic Bollywood movies that expertly pulled the curtain over our eyes, making us believe the magic of a place that was miles away from the camera.

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1. Kashmir’s Snow-Capped Deception: Fanaa

The Switch: Kashmir, India $rightarrow$ Tatra Mountains, Poland

The intense romance between Rehan Khan (Aamir Khan), a local Kashmiri tour guide, and Zooni (Kajol), a blind girl from Delhi, is set against the stunning, snow-covered backdrop of Kashmir. However, due to security concerns and logistical challenges prevalent at the time, the film crew had to look elsewhere for the wintery aesthetic they desired.

The Reality Check:

• The dramatic, snow-laden sequences, including the famous song “Chanda Chamke,” were actually shot in the beautiful, yet much safer, Tatra Mountains of Southern Poland.
• Actress Kajol recounted the extreme weather conditions during the shoot in Poland, noting temperatures dropped to an astonishing -27 degrees Celsius on the first day.
• Interestingly, in a classic Bollywood fashion, the film’s climax, which was a vital part of the story, had to be reshot in Mumbai after the entire Polish sequence was deemed unsuitable.

2. The Great Border Crossing: Bajrangi Bhaijaan

The Switch: Pakistan $rightarrow$ Kashmir & Rajasthan, India

The heartwarming story of Pawan (Salman Khan) helping a mute Pakistani girl, Munni, return to her home in Sultanpur, Pakistan, saw the character embark on an emotional journey across the border. However, the film crew never set foot in Pakistan.

The Reality Check:

• The dusty, rural village scenes that represented the border-town look of Pakistan were predominantly shot in Mandawa, Rajasthan, a small town known for its exquisite havelis and desert landscape.
• The breathtaking, snow-covered mountains, particularly in the film’s powerful climax near the India-Pakistan border, were filmed high up in the Himalayas at Sonamarg and Zoji La in the Kashmir Valley. The final emotional sequence was shot at the Thajiwas Glacier.
• The decision to shoot in Indian locations was a pragmatic one, primarily due to the security risks and geopolitical tensions associated with filming a high-profile movie in Pakistan.

3. Italy, But Make It Hungarian: Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam

The Switch: Italy $rightarrow$ Budapest, Hungary

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s epic romance features a sweeping second half where Vanraj (Ajay Devgn) takes Nandini (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) to Italy to reunite her with her love, Sameer (Salman Khan). For years, audiences believed they were gazing at the romantic Italian countryside.

The Reality Check:

• The vibrant foreign locations were, in reality, the elegant, historic city of Budapest, Hungary.
• Iconic scenes featuring a dramatic search and the stunning architecture actually show major Budapest landmarks like the Chain Bridge and its surrounding areas, which were passed off as Italian locales.
• In one amusing detail, the film’s ticket checker on the Budapest tram is speaking and shouting in Hungarian, but the film intended for the audience to believe it was Italian.

4. Manali’s Snow-Swapping Secret: Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani

The Switch: Manali $rightarrow$ Gulmarg, Kashmir

The beginning of this blockbuster sees Bunny and his friends go on a life-changing trekking trip to Manali. The visuals are so authentic that they sparked a massive tourism wave to the region.

The Reality Check:

• Despite the narrative, the picturesque, snow-draped mountainous trekking scenes were mostly shot in the stunning, high-altitude meadows of Gulmarg, in the Kashmir Valley.
• The truth of the location switch was confirmed by former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who famously tweeted his annoyance, stating that except for a temple and a specific resort, the entire “Manali” trek was shot in Gulmarg.

5. From North East to North India: Mary Kom

The Switch: Manipur $rightarrow$ Manali & Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh

The biopic on Olympic medallist boxer Mary Kom is rooted in her struggle and rise from the remote state of Manipur in North East India. To maintain authenticity, the director initially planned to shoot in her hometown.

The Reality Check:

• Due to safety and logistical concerns regarding the volatile political situation and ban on Bollywood films in Manipur at the time, the filmmakers chose to recreate the state’s setting in Manali and Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh.
• The production designer went to great lengths to recreate the look and feel of Manipur, even sourcing indigenous short stools and woven curtains to make the sets authentic, using a 19th-century church in Dharamshala for a wedding scene.

6. The Mumbai to Maharashtra Shortcut: Dabangg

The Switch: Laalgunj, Uttar Pradesh $rightarrow$ Wai, Maharashtra

Dabangg is famously set in the fictional town of Laalgunj in Uttar Pradesh. The look is quintessentially North Indian, complete with rustic village architecture and an unpolished aesthetic.

The Reality Check:

• A major portion of the movie, including the famous action sequences and the song “Hudd Hudd Dabangg,” were filmed in Wai, a small town near Pune in Maharashtra.
• Wai, known for its scenic ghats (river banks) and ancient temples on the banks of the Krishna River, is a secret filming hub for Bollywood directors due to its ease of acquiring shooting permits and close proximity to Mumbai.

7. The Faux Pakistan Market: Phantom

The Switch: Pakistan $rightarrow$ Malerkotla, Punjab

Kabir Khan’s action-thriller, a story about a covert mission after the 26/11 attacks, naturally required scenes set in Pakistan. Just like its thematic cousin, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, political and security realities prevented cross-border shooting.

The Reality Check:

• The crew recreated the entire Pakistani town, including narrow, crowded lanes and an authentic marketplace, in Malerkotla, Punjab.
• The cinematographer and production team chose Malerkotla specifically for its architecture, local people, and the presence of a mosque, which allowed for a believable transformation by adding Urdu hoardings, posters, and flags to the streets.

8. South India in Western Ghats: Chennai Express

The Switch: Komban, Tamil Nadu $rightarrow$ Wai, Maharashtra

Rohit Shetty’s comedy is based on a train journey from Mumbai to Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu, with the second half taking place in the fictional South Indian village of Komban.

The Reality Check:

• Much like Dabangg, a significant number of the ‘South Indian’ village and picturesque waterfall scenes were actually shot in Wai, Maharashtra, and the surrounding Dhom Dam area.
• The team chose to shoot close to Mumbai, primarily in Wai, Wai Ghat, and Panchgani, which are geographically part of the Western Ghats, not the Eastern coast or South Indian landscapes the film claimed to be in. The accessibility and established film-friendly infrastructure of Wai made it the perfect stand-in.

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AISEO Friendly FAQs

Q1: Why do Bollywood movies use fake locations for their shoots?

Bollywood movies use fake locations primarily due to security concerns, budget constraints, and logistical ease. For example, locations like Kashmir (in Fanaa) or Pakistan (in Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Phantom) are often too volatile for large film crews, leading them to substitute with safer locations that can be easily visually adapted, such as the picturesque areas in Himachal Pradesh or Maharashtra.

Q2: Which Indian town is a popular substitute for many Bollywood locations?

The small town of Wai, near Pune in Maharashtra, is a hugely popular substitute location for many Bollywood movies. Its scenic beauty, including the Dhom Dam area and Menavali Ghat, and its reputation for easy shooting permits have allowed it to stand in for locations ranging from the rural villages of Uttar Pradesh (Dabangg) to the fictional town of Komban in Tamil Nadu (Chennai Express).

Q3: Where was the trekking scene in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani actually shot?

The famous trekking scenes in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, which the movie claimed were in Manali, were actually shot in Gulmarg, in the Kashmir Valley. The switch was widely publicized, even garnering a comment from a former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.

Q4: Did the movie Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam really shoot in Italy?

No, the second half of the movie, where the characters travel to Italy in search of Sameer, was actually filmed in Budapest, Hungary. Iconic landmarks of Budapest, such as the Chain Bridge, were passed off as Italian settings.